Guide to OSHA for small businesses in North Carolina

A Guide to OSHA for
Small Businesses in
North Carolina
Bobby R. Davis
Series Editor
N. C. Department of Labor
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101
Cherie K. Berry
Commissioner of Labor
N. C. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Program
Cherie K. Berry
Commissioner of Labor
OSHA State Plan Designee
Allen McNeely
Deputy Commissioner for Safety and Health
Kevin Beauregard
Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Safety and Health
Acknowledgment
This guide is based upon the OSHA Handbook for Small Businesses, published by the U. S. Department of
Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Most of the material in this guide is taken directly from
that excellent publication, although some changes have been made to reflect the OSHA program in North Carolina.
This guide is intended to be consistent with all existing OSHA standards; therefore, if an area is considered by
the reader to be inconsistent with a standard, then the OSHA standard should be followed.
To obtain additional copies of this book, or if you have questions about N. C. occupational safety and health standards or
rules, please contact:
N. C. Department of Labor
Bureau of Education, Training and Technical Assistance
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101
Phone: ( 919) 807- 2875 or 1- 800- NC- LABOR ( 1- 800- 625- 2267)
____________________
Additional sources of information are listed on the inside back cover of this book.
____________________
The projected cost of the OSHNC program for federal fiscal year 2004– 2005 is $ 13,330,705. Federal funding provides approximately 38 percent ($ 5,162,000) of this
total.
Printed 8/ 05
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Contents
Part Page
Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1v
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2 A Four- Point Workplace Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3 Starting Your Voluntary Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4 Self- Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Self- Inspection Checklists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5 Assistance in Problem Solving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Overall Action Plan Worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
- v-
Foreword
North Carolina is a state built on the success
of its small businesses. From the small manufac-turing
plants located along our mountain roads
to the restaurants lining our beaches, small busi-ness
owners and workers build North Carolina’s
economic backbone.
No one doubts that small business employers
often face special challenges in dealing with
workplace safety and health hazards. Unlike
large corporations, which can afford to hire full-time
safety engineers and industrial hygienists,
small businesses usually must rely on consult-ants,
workshops and other methods to meet
their safety goals.
This is why the N. C. Department of Labor has
created this new publication— to help small busi-ness
employers establish their own safety and
health programs. This booklet advises employers
on how to manage safety and health protection
at their own worksites and explains how to
obtain free, on- site consultative visits by safety
and health professionals.
In North Carolina, DOL inspectors enforce the
federal Occupational Safety and Health Act
through a state plan approved by the U. S.
Department of Labor. The N. C. Department of
Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and
Health offers many educational programs to the
public and produces publications, including this
guide, to help inform people about their rights
and responsibilities regarding occupational safe-ty
and health.
We at the N. C. Department of Labor hope that
every small business owner will recognize the
value of positive, cooperative action— among
employers, employees and government— to provide
safe and healthful workplaces across our state.
Reading and utilizing A Guide to OSHA for Small
Businesses in North Carolina is a great place to
start.
Cherie K. Berry
Commissioner of Labor
A Profit and Loss Statement
As a small business owner, you are characteris-tically
a risk taker. You wager your business
acumen against larger, perhaps more heavily
financed corporate groups and other free- spirited,
self- employed individuals like yourself. Excite-ment
and challenge are the natural elements in
such a venture. But to succeed, you need good
management information, an ability to be a good
manager of people, and the intelligence and inner
strength both to make decisions and to make the
right decisions.
Thousands of workers die each year, and many,
many more suffer injury or illness from condi-tions
at work. But how often does an owner or
manager like you actually see or even hear about
work- related deaths, serious injuries or illnesses
in the businesses with which you are familiar?
How often has your business actually sustained
this type of loss?
In most small businesses, the answer is rarely.
For this reason, many owners/ managers do not
understand why there is controversy about
OSHA, job safety and health standards, inspec-tions,
citations, etc.
But others have learned why. Unfortunately,
they have had to go through the kind of loss we
are talking about. And these owners/ managers
will tell you that it is too late to do anything once
a serious accident happens. They now know that
prevention is the only real way to avoid this loss.
Reducing all losses is a goal that you as an
owner or manager clearly share with us in the
NCDOL’s Division of Occupational Safety and
Health ( OSH). Each of us may see this goal in a
slightly different light, but it remains our common
intent.
We have learned from small employers, like
you, that you place a high value on the health and
well- being of your employees. Like many small
businesses, you probably employ family members
and personal acquaintances. And, if you don’t
know your employees before they are hired, then
chances are that the very size of your workgroup
and workplace will promote the closeness and con-cern
for one another that small businesses value.
Assuming that your commitment to safe and
healthful work practices is a given ingredient, we
in OSH want to work with you to prevent all loss-es.
We believe that when you make job safety and
health a real part of your everyday operations,
you cannot lose in the long run.
Successful safety and health activity now will
enable you to avoid possible losses in the future.
Developing a Profitable Strategy
for Handling Occupational Safety
and Health
Many people confuse the idea of “ accidents”
with the notion of acts of God. The difference is
clear. Floods and tornadoes cannot be prevented
by the owner or manager of a small business. But
workplace accidents can be prevented.
Nobody wants accidents to happen in his or her
business. A serious fire or the death of an employ-ee
or an owner can cause the loss of a great
amount of profit or, in some cases, even an entire
business. To prevent such losses, you don’t have
to turn your place upside down. You may not have
to spend a lot of money either. You may only need
to use good business sense and to apply recog-nized
prevention principles.
There are reasons why accidents happen.
Something goes wrong somewhere. It may take
some thought, and maybe the help of friends or
other trained people, to figure out what went
wrong, but there will be a cause— a reason why.
Once you know the cause, it is possible to prevent
an accident. You need some basic facts and per-haps
some help from others who know some of
the answers already. You also need a plan— a plan
for preventing accidents.
Not all danger at your worksite depends on an
accident to cause harm, of course. Worker expo-sure
to toxic chemicals or harmful levels of noise
or radiation may happen in conjunction with
routine work as well as by accident. You may not
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1.
Introduction
realize the extent of the exposure on the part of
you and/ or your employees or the harm that may
result. The effect may not appear immediately,
but it may be fatal in the long run. You need a
plan that includes prevention of these “ health
hazard exposures” as well as accidents. You need
a safety and health protection plan.
It is not a difficult task to develop such a plan.
Basically, you only need to concern yourself with
those types of accidents and health hazard expo-sures
that could happen in your workplace.
Because each workplace is different, your pro-gram
may be different from one that your neigh-bor
or your competitor might use. But this is not
important. You want it to reflect your way of
doing business, not theirs.
While the details may vary, there are four basic
elements that are always found in workplaces
with a good accident prevention program. They
are:
1. The manager or management team leads the
way, especially by setting policy, assigning
and supporting responsibility, setting an
example, and involving employees.
2. The worksite is continually analyzed to iden-tify
all hazards and potential hazards.
3. Methods for preventing or controlling exist-ing
or potential hazards are put in place and
maintained.
4. Managers, supervisors and employees are
trained to understand and deal with work-site
hazards.
Regardless of the size of your business, you
should use each of these elements to prevent
workplace accidents and possible injuries and
illnesses.
Developing a workplace program following
these four points should lead you to do all the
things needed to protect you and your workers’
safety and health. If you already have a program,
reviewing it in relation to these elements should
help you improve what you have.
If you follow it, this four- point approach to safe-ty
and health protection in your business should
also help you to improve efficiency. It may help
you reduce insurance claims and other costs.
While it does not guarantee complete compliance
with OSHA standards, the approach will help you
toward full compliance and beyond. It will cer-tainly
give you a way to express and document
your good faith.
This approach usually does not involve large
costs. Especially in smaller businesses, it general-ly
does not require additional employees. Usually
it can be integrated into your other business func-tions
with modest effort on your part.
The key to the success of this plan is to see it as
a part of your business operation and to see it
reflected in all your work. As you continue doing
it, the program becomes easier. It becomes built-in
and then you need only check on it periodically
to be sure everything is working well.
In part 2, we give short titles for each of the
elements and then give short descriptions and
illustrations for each. Since most employers, like
you, are pressed for time, these descriptions are
capsules of information to assist you in thinking
through and getting started on your own
approach.
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The four- point workplace program described
here is based upon the Safety and Health
Management Guidelines issued by federal OSHA
on Jan. 26, 1989. Although voluntary, these
guidelines represent OSHA’s policy on what every
worksite should have in place to protect workers
from occupational hazards. The guidelines are
based heavily on OSHA’s experience with the
Voluntary Protection Programs ( VPP). These vol-untary
programs are designed to recognize and
promote effective safety and health management
as the best means of ensuring a safe and health-ful
workplace.
Using the Four- Point Program
As you go through this part and those that fol-low,
we encourage you to use the action plan form
that you can remove or duplicate from the back of
this publication to jot down the actions that you
wish to take to help make your workplace safer
and more healthful for your employees. Noting
those actions as you go along will make it much
easier for you to assemble the total plan you need.
Point One:
Management Commitment and
Employee Involvement.
As the owner or manager of a small business,
your attitude toward job safety and health will be
reflected by your employees. If you are not inter-ested
in preventing employee injury and illness,
nobody else is likely to be.
At all times, demonstrate your personal con-cern
for employee safety and health and the pri-ority
you place on them in your workplace. Your
policy must be clearly set. Only you can show its
importance through your own actions.
Demonstrate to your employees the depth of
your commitment by involving them in planning
and carrying out your efforts. If you seriously
involve your employees in identifying and resolv-ing
safety and health problems, they will commit
their unique insights and energy to helping
achieve the objectives of your program.
Consider forming a joint employee- manage-ment
safety committee. This can assist you in
starting a program and will help maintain inter-est
in the program once it is operating. Commit-tees
can be an excellent way of communicating
safety and health information. If you have few
employees, consider rotating them so that all can
have an active part in the safety and health pro-gramming.
The men and women who work for
you are among the most valuable assets you
have. Their safety, health and goodwill are
essential to the success of your business. Having
them cooperate with you in protecting their
safety and health not only helps to keep them
healthy— it makes your job easier.
As a small business employer, you have inher-ent
advantages, such as close contact with your
employees, a specific acquaintance with the prob-lems
of the whole business, and usually a low
worker turnover. Probably you have already
developed a personal relationship of loyalty and
cooperation that can be built up very easily.
These advantages may not only increase your
concern for your employees but also may make it
easier to get their help.
Here are some actions to take:
• Post your own policy on the importance of
worker safety and health next to the N. C.
Department of Labor’s “ Notice to Employees”
poster where all employees can
see it.
• Hold a meeting with all your employees to
communicate that policy to them and to dis-cuss
your objectives for safety and health for
the rest of the year. ( These objectives will
result from the decisions you make about
changes you think are needed after you finish
reading this publication.)
• Make sure that support from the top is visi-ble
by taking an active part, personally, in
the activities that are part of your safety and
health program. For example, personally
review all inspection and accident reports to
ensure follow- up when needed.
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2.
A Four- Point Workplace Program
• Ensure that you, your managers and super-visors
follow all safety requirements that
employees must follow, even if you are only in
their area briefly. If, for instance, you require
a hard hat, safety glasses and/ or safety shoes
in an area, wear them yourself when you are
in that area.
• Use your employees’ special knowledge and
help them buy into the program by having
them make inspections, put on safety train-ing
and/ or help investigate accidents.
• Make clear assignments of responsibility for
every part of the program that you develop.
Make certain everyone understands them.
The more people involved the better. A good
rule of thumb is to assign safety and health
responsibilities in the same way you assign
production responsibilities. Make it a special
part of everyone’s job to operate safely. That
way, as you grow and disperse production
responsibilities more widely, you will dis-perse
safety and health responsibilities with
them.
• Give those with responsibility enough people,
on- the- clock time, training, money and
authority to get the job done.
• Do not forget about it after you make assign-ments:
make sure personally that they get
the job done. Recognize and reward those
who do well and correct those who don’t.
• Take time, at least annually, to review what
you have accomplished against what you set
as your objectives and decide if you need new
objectives or program revisions to get where
you want to be.
Point Two:
Worksite Analysis
It is your responsibility to know what you have
in your workplace that could hurt your workers.
Worksite analysis is a group of processes that
helps you make sure that you know what you need
to keep your workers safe. You may need help in
getting started with these processes. You can call
on the state Bureau of Consultative Services for
this help. ( See the inside back cover for address
and telephone number.) Once you get everything
set up, you or your employees can do many of
them.
Here are some actions to take:
• Request a consultation visit from the Bureau
of Consultative Services covering both safety
and health to get a full survey of the hazards
that exist in your workplace and those that
could develop. ( You can also contract for such
services from expert private consultants if
you prefer.)
• Set up a way to get expert help when you
make changes, to be sure that the changes are
not introducing new hazards into your work-place.
Also, find ways to stay current on newly
recognized hazards in your industry.
• Make an assignment ( maybe to teams that
include employees) to look carefully at each
job from time to time, taking it apart step- by-step
to see if there are any hidden hazards in
the equipment or procedures. Some training
may be necessary at the start.
• Set up a system of checking to make sure
that your hazard controls have not failed and
that new hazards have not appeared. This is
usually done by routine self- inspections. You
can use the checklists in part 4 of this book
as a starting point. Add items to them that
better fit your situation. Subtract from them
those items that do not fit your situation.
• Provide a way for your employees to let you
or another member of management know
when they see things that look harmful to
them and encourage them to use it.
• Learn how to do a thorough investigation
when things do go wrong and someone gets
sick or hurt. This will help you find ways to
prevent recurrences.
�� Initially, take the time to look back over sev-eral
years of injury or illness experience to
identify patterns that can lead to further pre-vention.
Thereafter, periodically look back
over several months of experience to deter-mine
if any new patters are developing.
Point Three:
Hazard Prevention and Control
Once you know what your hazards and poten-tial
hazards are, you are ready to put in place the
systems that prevent or control those hazards.
Your state consultant can help you do this.
- 4-
Whenever possible, you will want to eliminate
those hazards. Sometimes that can be done
through substitution of a less toxic material or
through engineering controls that can be built in.
When you cannot eliminate hazards, systems
should be set up to control them.
Here are some actions to take:
• Set up safe work procedures, based on the
analysis of the hazards in your employees’
jobs ( discussed above), and make sure that
the employees doing each job understand the
procedures and follow them. This may be eas-ier
if employees are involved in the analysis
that results in those procedures.
• Be ready, if necessary, to enforce the rules for
safe work procedures by asking your employ-ees
to help you set up a disciplinary system
that will be fair and understood by everyone.
• Where necessary to protect your employees,
provide personal protective equipment ( PPE)
and be sure your employees know why they
need it, how to use it and how to maintain it.
• Provide for regular equipment maintenance to
prevent breakdowns that can create hazards.
• Plan for emergencies, including fire and nat-ural
disasters, and drill everyone frequently
enough so that if the real thing happens,
everyone will know what to do even under
stressful conditions.
• Ask your state consultant to help you develop
a medical program that fits your worksite
and involves nearby doctors and emergency
facilities. Invite these medical personnel to
visit the plant before emergencies occur to
help you plan the best way to avoid injuries
and illness during emergency situations.
• You must ensure the ready availability of
medical personnel for advice and consultation
on matters of employee health. This does
not mean that you must provide health
care. But, if health problems develop in your
workplace, you are expected to get medical
help to treat them and their causes.
To fulfill the above requirements, consider the
following:
• You should have an emergency medical pro-cedure
for handling injuries, transporting ill
or injured workers, and notifying medical
facilities with a minimum of confusion.
Posting emergency numbers is a good idea.
• Survey the medical facilities near your
place of business and make arrangements
for them to handle routine and emergency
cases. Cooperative agreements could possi-bly
be made with nearby larger plants that
have medical personnel and/ or facilities on
site.
• You should have a procedure for reporting
injuries and illnesses that is understood by
all employees.
• If your business is remote from medical facili-ties,
you are required to ensure that one or
more people be adequately trained and avail-able
to render first aid. Adequate first aid
supplies must be readily available for emer-gency
use. Arrangements for this training can
be made through your local Red Cross chap-ter,
your insurance carrier, your local safety
council and others.
• You should check battery charging stations,
maintenance operations, laboratories, heating
and ventilating operations, and any corrosive
materials areas to make sure you have the
required eye wash facilities and showers.
• Consider retaining a local doctor or an occu-pational
health nurse on a part- time or as-used
basis to advise you in your medical and
first aid planning
Point Four:
Training for Employees, Supervisors and
Managers
An effective accident prevention program
requires proper job performance from everyone in
the workplace.
As an owner or manager, you must ensure that
all employees know about the materials and
equipment they work with, what known hazards
are in the operation, and how you are controlling
the hazards.
Each employee needs to know the following:
• No employee is expected to undertake a job
until he or she has received job instructions
on how to do it properly and has been author-ized
to perform that job.
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• No employee should undertake a job that
appears unsafe.
You may be able to combine safety and health
training with other training that you do, depend-ing
upon the kinds of potential and existing haz-ards
that you have. With training, the “ proof is in
the pudding” in that the result that you want is
all employees knowing what they need to know
to keep themselves and their fellow workers safe
and healthy.
Here are some actions to take:
• Ask your state consultant to recommend
training for your worksite. The consultant
may be able to do some of the training while
he or she is there.
• Make sure you have trained your employees
on every potential hazard that they could be
exposed to and how to protect themselves.
Then verify that they really understand what
you taught them.
• Pay particular attention to your new employ-ees
and to old employees who are moving to
new jobs. Because they are learning new
operations, they are more likely to get hurt.
• Make sure that you train your supervisors to
know all the hazards that face the people
they supervise and how to reinforce training
with quick reminders and refreshers, and
with disciplinary action if necessary. Verify
that they know what is expected of them.
• Make sure that you and your top manage-ment
staff understand all of your responsibil-ities
and how to hold subordinate supervisory
employees accountable for theirs.
Documenting Your Activities
Document your activities in all elements of the
four- point workplace program. Essential records,
including those legally required for workers’ com-pensation,
insurance audits and government
inspections, must be maintained as long as the
actual need exists. Keeping records of your activi-ties,
such as policy statements, training sessions
for management and employees safety and health
meetings held, information distributed to employ-ees,
and medical arrangements made, is greatly
encouraged. Maintaining essential records also
will aid:
1. The demonstration of sound business man-agement
as supporting proof for credit appli-cations,
for showing “ good faith” in reducing
any proposed penalties from OSH inspec-tions,
for insurance audits and others; and
2. The efficient review of your current safety
and health activities for better control of
your operations and to plan improvements.
Safety and Health Recordkeeping
Records of sales, costs, profits and losses are
essential to all successful businesses. They enable
the owner or manager to learn from experience and
to make corrections for future operations. Records
of accidents, related injuries, illnesses and property
losses can serve the same purpose, if they are used
the same way. The sole purpose of OSHA record-keeping
is to store factual information about cer-tain
accidents that have happened. When the facts
have been determined, causes can often be identi-fied,
and control procedures can be instituted to
prevent similar occurrences from happening.
Injury/ Illness Records
There are injury/ illness recordkeeping require-ments,
addressed in Part 1904 ( Recording and
Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses), to
cover OSHA standards that require a minimum of
paperwork. OSHA issued a revised rule to
improve the system that employers use to track
and record workplace injuries and illnesses. The
final rule became effective Jan. 1, 2002. The
OSHA Form 200 was replaced in the new rule.
Three updated recordkeeping forms were devel-oped
and are now in effect as follows: The new
OSHA Form 300 ( Log of Work- Related Injuries
and Illnesses) has been simplified and can be
printed on smaller legal- sized paper. The new
OSHA Form 301 ( Injury and Illness Incident
Report) includes more data about how the injury
or illness occurred. The new OSHA Form 300A
( Summary of Work- Related Injuries and Illnesses)
provides additional data to make it easier for
employers to calculate incidence rates.
Maintaining these records will provide you with
one measure for evaluating the success of your
safety and health activities. Success would gener-ally
mean a lack of, or a reduced number of,
employee injuries and illnesses during a calendar
year.
- 6-
There are five important steps required by the
OSHA recordkeeping system:
1. Obtain a report on every injury requiring
medical treatment ( other than first aid).
2. Record each injury on the OSHA 300 Log
according to the instructions provided.
3. Prepare a supplementary record of occupa-tional
injuries and illnesses for recordable
cases either on OSHA Form No. 101 or on
workers’ compensation reports giving the
same information.
4. Every year, prepare the annual summary
( OSHA 300 Log); post it no later than Feb. 1,
and keep it posted until April 30 ( ref.
1904.32). ( Next to the N. C. Department of
Labor’s workplace poster is a good place to
post it.)
5. Retain these records for at least five years.
During the year, periodically review the records
to see where injuries are occurring. Look for any
patterns or repeat situations. These records can
help you to identify high risk areas that demand
your immediate attention.
Since the basic OSHA records include only
injuries and illnesses, you might consider expand-ing
your own system to include all incidents,
including those where no injury or illness result-ed,
if you think such information would assist you
in pinpointing unsafe conditions and/ or proce-dures.
Safety councils, insurance carriers and oth-ers
can assist you in instituting such a system.
Injury/ illness recordkeeping makes sense, and
we recommend this practice to all employers.
However, you are not required to keep records
under the OSHA injury/ illness recordkeeping sys-tem
if you employ 10 or fewer employees.
Regardless of the number of employees you
have, you may be selected for inclusion in an
annual sample survey. You will receive a letter
directly from the N. C. Department of Labor’s
Research and Policy Division with instructions if
you are selected.
Exposure Records and Others
The injury/ illness records may not be the only
records you will need to maintain. Certain OSHA
standards that deal with toxic substances and
hazardous exposures require records on the expo-sure
of employees, physical examination reports,
employment records, etc.
As you work on identifying hazards, you will be
able to determine whether these requirements
apply to your situation on a case- by- case basis.
We mention it here so that you will be aware of
these records and that, if required, they should be
used with your control procedures and with your
self- inspection activity. They should not be consid-ered
merely as bookkeeping.
- 7-
You can use this basic action plan to get started
on your program.
To avoid confusion, we need to explain that this
action plan is not organized solely in the order of
the four points we described in part 2. Rather, it
provides the most direct route to getting yourself
organized to complete your four- point program.
When you have completed your action plan,
your activity should be organized around the four
points described in part 2.
Decide to Start Now
The time to start your safety and health pro-gram
is now. You have a better picture of what
constitutes a good safety and health program.
Now you can address the practical concerns of
putting these elements together and coming up
with a program to suit your workplace.
Presumably you have been taking notes for
your action plan as you went through the preced-ing
description of the four- point program. You
should be ready now to decide exactly what you
want to accomplish and to determine what steps
are necessary to achieve your goals. Then you will
plan how and when each step will be done and
who will do it.
Your plan should consider your company’s
immediate needs and provide for ongoing, long-lasting
worker protection. Once your plan is
designed, it is important to follow through and
use it in the workplace. You will then have a
program to anticipate, identify and eliminate
conditions or practices that could result in
injuries and illnesses.
If you have difficulty in deciding where to begin, a
phone call to the OSH Bureau of Consultative
Services will get you the assistance you need. A state
consultant will survey your workplace for existing or
potential hazards. Then, if you request it, he or she
will determine what you need to make your safety
and health program effective. The consultant will
work with you to develop a plan for making these
improvements and to establish procedures for mak-ing
sure that your program stays effective.
Whether you choose to work with a consultant
or to develop your program yourself, there are
other publications similar to this one that spell
out in greater detail the steps you can take to cre-ate
an effective safety and health program for
your workplace. The rewards for your efforts will
be a workplace with a high level of efficiency and
productivity and a low level of loss and injury.
Designating Responsibility
You must decide who in your company is the
most appropriate person to manage your safety
and health program. Who can be sure that the
program will become an integral part of the busi-ness?
In many cases it will be the owner. Some-times
it will be the plant manager or a key super-visor.
It could even be an engineer, personnel spe-cialist
or other staff member.
You should choose someone who is as committed
to workplace safety and health as you are, who
has the time to devote to developing and manag-ing
the program, and who is willing to take on
the responsibility and accountability that goes
with operating an effective program. The success
of your program hinges on the success of the indi-vidual
you choose, and he or she cannot succeed
without your full cooperation and support.
Remember, though, that even when you appoint
someone as your safety manager and delegate the
authority to manage the program, the ultimate
responsibility for safety and health in your work-place
rests on you.
Having made your selection of a safety and
health manager, you or your designee and any
others you choose will need to take ( or be sure
you have already taken) the following actions.
Get Some Help on the Details
First, you may need to catch up with all the
changes made since the OSH Act became law in
December 1970. For example, the federal law con-tains
provisions for allowing a state to develop
and operate its own occupational safety and
health program in place of the federal program.
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3.
Starting Your Voluntary Activity
North Carolina has such an approved state plan
for occupational safety and health. The N. C.
Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational
Safety and Health is charged with administering
the state plan.
Second, you will need certain OSHA publica-tions
for use in your safety and health activities:
1. OSHA workplace poster ( commonly called
the “ Notice to Employees” poster)— You must
have the state OSHA poster displayed in
your workplace.
2. Standards that apply to your operations—
You need these standards for reference mate-rial
in your business. These are the regula-tions
OSH uses when inspecting for compli-ance
with the act. These standards are the
baseline for your own inspections and are
useful in determining what specific changes
need to be made when hazards are identi-fied.
Most businesses come under the North
Carolina Occupational Safety and Health
Standards for General Industry, but if you
are involved with construction or maritime
operations, you will need the standards that
apply to these classifications.
3. Recordkeeping requirements and the neces-sary
forms— You need these if you have 11 or
more employees. These forms are not too dif-ferent
from other information forms you
have been keeping for workers’ compensation
and other records.
4. Occupational Safety and Health Act of North
Carolina— You may want this for your own
information and reference in the future.
( See the inside back cover of this publication
for ordering information regarding these
publications.)
Clean Up Your Place of Business
Poor housekeeping is a major contributor to low
morale and sloppy work in general, even if it is
not usually the cause of major accidents. Most
safety action programs start with an intensive
cleanup campaign in all areas of a given business.
Get rid of rubbish that has collected; make sure
proper containers are provided; see that flamma-bles
are properly stored; make sure that exits are
not blocked; if necessary, mark aisles and pas-sageways;
provide adequate lighting, etc.
Get everyone involved and impress upon
them exactly what it is you want to do to make
your workplace safer, more healthful and more
efficient.
Start Gathering Specific Facts
About Your Situation
Before you make any changes in your safety
and health operations, you will want to gather as
much information as possible about the current
conditions at your workplace and about business
practices that are already part of your safety and
health program. This information can help you
identify workplace problems and see what is
involved in solving them.
The assessment of your workplace should be con-ducted
by the person responsible for the safety and
health program and/ or a professional safety and
health consultant. It consists of two major activities.
The first is a comprehensive safety and health
survey of your entire facility, designed to identify
any existing or potential safety and health haz-ards.
This initial survey should focus on evaluat-ing
workplace conditions with respect to safety
and health regulations and generally recognized
safe and healthful work practices. It should
include checking on the use of any hazardous
materials, observing employee work habits and
practices, and discussing safety and health prob-lems
with employees. See part 4, Self- Inspection
Checklists, to help you get a good start on creat-ing
this initial survey.
The second major activity is an assessment of
your existing safety and health program to iden-tify
areas that may be working well and those
that may need improvement. You will want to
gather as much information as you can that
relates to the safety and health management of
your workplace. You should include the following
in this review:
• Safety and Health Activities�� Examine
current ongoing activities as well as those
tried previously, company policy statements,
rules ( both work and safety), guidelines for
proper work practices, and procedures and
records of training programs.
• Equipment— Make a list of your major
equipment, principal operations and the
locations of each. Special attention should be
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given to inspection schedules, maintenance
activities, and plant and office layouts.
• Employees’ Capabilities— Make an alpha-betical
list of all employees, showing the date
they were hired, what their jobs are, and
what experience and training they have had.
Special attention should be given to new
employees and to employees with disabilities.
• Accident and Injury/ Illness History—
Take a look at your first aid cases, workers’
compensation insurance payments and work-ers’
compensation awards, if any. Review any
losses. Determine how your insurance rate
compares with others in your group. Special
attention should be given to recurring acci-dents,
types of injuries, etc.
With whatever facts you have been able to
assemble, take a quick look to see if any major
problem areas can be identified. You would be
looking for such things as interruptions in your
normal operations, too many employees taking
too much time off, too many damaged products
and so on. General assistance in this kind of prob-lem
identification can often be obtained from com-pensation
carriers, local safety councils, state
agencies, your major suppliers and even, perhaps,
a competitor.
If there is a major problem, see what can be
done to solve it. Once a problem is identified, you
can work on the corrective action or a plan for
controlling the problem. Take immediate action at
this point and make a record of what you have
done. Do not become overly involved in looking
for major problem areas during this fact- finding
stage. Remember that no one hazardous situation
causes all of your safety and health problems.
Therefore, it is likely that no single action will
greatly improve your safety and health program.
Even if you have found no major problem at
this point, continue on. Now it is time to develop
a comprehensive safety and health program that
meets your needs and those of your employees.
This will make it more difficult for major prob-lems
to crop up in the future.
Establish Your Four- Point Safety
and Health Program
The success of any workplace safety and health
program depends on careful planning. This means
that you have taken time to think through what
you want to accomplish, and you may even have a
general idea of what it will take to accomplish
your goals. Based on that, you can design a step-by-
step process that will take you from the idea
stage to having a fully effective operation.
The most effective way to create the safest
possible workplace for you and your employees is
to institute the four- point program discussed in
part 2 of this handbook. Use the guidance present-ed
in part 2 to help you develop your program.
Establish your management commitment and
involve your employees. No safety and health
program will work, especially in the long term,
without this commitment and involvement. You
should have already taken the first step by desig-nating
the person who will be responsible for your
program.
Be certain that your employees are as widely
involved in the program as possible from the
beginning. They are the people most in contact
with the potential and actual safety and health
hazards at your worksite. They will have con-structive
input into the development of your safe-ty
and health program. Its ultimate success will
depend upon their support— support that will be
more forthcoming for a program created with
their meaningful involvement.
Make sure your program assigns responsibility
and accountability to all employees in your organ-ization.
A good safety and health program makes
it clear that each employee from you through the
supervisory levels to the line worker is responsi-ble
for his or her part of the program. You will
make their safety and health duties clear, and
each of them will be held accountable for his or
her safety- and health- related duties.
Refer to the recommended actions to take on
page 4 in part 2. These will help start your program
off on the right track. You will be building the foun-dation
for a successful safety and health program.
Establish and regularly conduct your worksite
analysis. You cannot have a successful safety and
health program if it has not identified all the haz-ards
and potential hazards present in your work-place.
This is an ongoing process that includes
routine self- inspections if you are to know where
probable hazards exist and whether or not they
are under control.
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Create the systems and procedures necessary
to prevent and control the hazards that have been
identified through your worksite analysis. These
control procedures will be your basic means for
preventing accidents. The OSHA standards that
have been promulgated can be of great assistance
to you since they address controls in order of
effectiveness and preference. Where no standard
exists, creative problem solving and consultant
resources should help you create effective con-trols.
The basic formula OSHA follows is, in order
of preference:
1. Eliminating the hazard from the machine, the
method, the material or the plant structure.
2. Abating the hazard by limiting exposure or
controlling it at its source.
3. Training personnel to be aware of the hazard
and to follow safe work procedures to avoid it.
4. Prescribing personal protective equipment for
protecting employees against the hazard.
Be sure to establish and provide ongoing train-ing
for employees, supervisors and managers.
This should ensure that everyone at your work-site
will know about the hazards that exist and
how to control them.
Each of these points is crucial if you want to
establish a safe and healthy workplace for you
and your employees. They also work together to
reinforce each other, thereby making it more diffi-cult
for accidents to occur and for work- related
health problems to develop.
Develop and Implement
Your Action Plan
Develop an action plan to help you build your
safety and health program around the four points
discussed above. It can serve as a road map to get
your program from where it is now to where you
want it to be. It tells you what has to be done, the
logical order in which to do it, who is responsible,
and perhaps most important, where you want to
be when you finish. It is a specific description of
the problems and solutions, but it is not iron-clad—
it can and should be changed to correspond
with changes in the workplace.
A good action plan has two parts:
1. An overall list of the major changes or im-provements
that are needed to make your
safety and health program effective. Assign
each item a priority and a target date for
completion, and identify the person who will
monitor or direct each action.
2. A specific plan on how to implement each
major change or improvement. Here, you
would write out what you wanted to accom-plish,
the steps required, who would be
assigned to do what, and when you plan to
be finished. This part of the action plan will
help you keep track of program improve-ments
so that details do not slip through the
cracks. When several improvements are
being made at once, it is easy to overlook
something that may be an important pre-requisite
for your next action.
A worksheet that may help you design an over-all
action plan and describe specific action steps
appears at the end of this publication.
Once the plan has been established, you must
begin putting it into action. This begins with the
item that has been assigned the highest priority.
Check to make sure it is realistic and manageable,
then address the steps you have written out for that
item. This detailed description of the steps required
will help you keep track of the development that is
taking place. Keep in mind that you can, of course,
work on more than one item at a time and that the
priorities may change as other needs are identified
or as your company’s resources change.
Open communication with your employees is
crucial to the success of your efforts. Their cooper-ation
depends on understanding what the safety
and health program is all about, why it is impor-tant
to them, and how it affects their work. The
more you do to involve them in the changes you
are making, the smoother your transition will be.
By putting your action plan into operation at
your workplace, you will have taken a major step
toward having an effective safety and health pro-gram.
Remember, a safety and health pro-gram
is a plan put into practice. You can keep
your program on track by periodically checking
its progress and by calling on a state or private
consultant when you need assistance.
Any good management system requires a peri-odic
review to make sure the system is operating
as intended. Every so often ( quarterly, semiannu-ally,
or annually) you should take a careful look at
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each critical component in your safety and health
program to determine what is working well and
what changes are needed. Your consultant can
assist you in this area as well. When you identify
improvements that should be made, you have the
basis for new safety and health objectives for the
coming year. Developing new action plans for
those improvements will help you to continue to
progress toward an effective safety and health
program. That, in turn, will reduce your safety
and health risks and increase efficiency and profit.
Remember, however, that it is also important to
document your activities. The only way you can
evaluate the success of your safety and health
program is to have the documentation available
to tell you what you have done, to assess how it
has worked, and to provide you with guidance on
how you can make it work even better.
Technical assistance may be available to you as
a small business owner or manager through your
insurance carrier, your fellow business people,
suppliers of your durable equipment and raw
materials, the local safety council, and many
local, state and federal agencies, including the
Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s
Bureau of Consultative Services. You may even
find help in the yellow pages of your telephone
directory, which will give you the names of many
companies that specialize in items and services
relating to safety, health and fire prevention.
Establishing a quality safety and health pro-gram
at your place of business will take some
time and involve some resources. However, you
should be pleasantly surprised with the results.
You will have happier employees because they will
know you are committed to their safety and
health on the job. You will probably save money
through increased productivity and reduced work-ers’
compensation insurance costs. You will find
increased respect in your community. The rewards
you receive will surely exceed the cost of your
investment in safety and health protection.
- 12-
The most widely accepted way to identify haz-ards
is to conduct safety and health inspections.
The only way you can be certain of the actual sit-uation
is for you to look at it from time to time.
Make a Self- Inspection
of Your Business
Begin a program of self- inspection in your own
workplace. Self- inspection is a must if you are to
know where probable hazards exist and whether
they are under control.
Later in this part, you will find checklists
designed to assist you in this fact- finding. They
will give you some indication of where you should
begin action to make your business safer and
more healthful for all of your employees.
These checklists are by no means all-inclusive.
You may wish to add to them or delete
portions that do not apply to your business.
Consider carefully each item as you come to it
and then make your decision.
Don’t spend time with items that obvious-ly
have no application to your business.
Make sure each item is seen by you or your
designee, and leave nothing to memory or chance.
Write down what you see, or don’t see, and what
you think you should do about it.
When you have completed the checklists, add this
material to your injury information, your employee
information, and your process and equipment infor-mation.
You will now possess many facts that will
help you determine what problems exist. Then, if
you use the OSHA standards in your problem- solv-ing
process, it will be much easier for you to deter-mine
the action needed to solve these problems.
Once the hazards have been identified, you can
institute the control procedures described in part
3 and establish your four- point safety and health
program.
Technical assistance in self- inspection may be
available to you as a small business owner or man-ager
through your insurance carrier, the local safety
council, and many local, state and federal agencies,
including the Division of Occupational Safety and
Health’s Bureau of Consultative Services.
Self- Inspection Scope
The scope of your self- inspections should in-clude
the following:
• Processing, Receiving, Shipping and
Storage— equipment, job planning, layout,
heights, floor loads, projection of materials,
materials handling and storage methods.
• Building and Grounds Conditions—
floors, walls, ceilings, exits, stairs, walkways,
ramps, platforms, driveways and aisles.
• Housekeeping Program— waste disposal,
tools, objects, materials, leakage and spillage,
cleaning methods, schedules, work areas,
remote areas and storage areas.
• Electricity— equipment, switches, breakers,
fuses, switch boxes, junctions, special fix-tures,
circuits, insulation, extensions, tools,
motors, grounding and NEC compliance.
• Lighting— type, intensity, controls, conditions,
diffusion, location, and glare and shadow con-trol.
• Heating and Ventilation— type, effective-ness,
temperature, humidity, controls, natu-ral
and artificial ventilation, and exhausting.
• Machinery— points of operation, flywheels,
gears, shafts, pulleys, key ways, belts, cou-plings,
sprockets, chains, frames, controls,
lighting for tools and equipment, brakes,
exhausting, feeding, oiling, adjusting, mainte-nance,
lock out, grounding, work space, loca-tion,
and purchasing standards.
• Personnel— training, experience, methods of
checking machines before use, type of clothing,
personal protective equipment, use of guards,
tool storage, work practices, and method of
cleaning, oiling or adjusting machinery.
• Hand and Power Tools— purchasing stan-dards,
inspection, storage, repair, types,
maintenance, grounding, use and handling.
- 13-
4.
Self- Inspection
• Chemicals— storage, handling, transporta-tion,
spills, disposal, amounts used, toxicity
or other harmful effects, warning signs,
supervision, training, and protective clothing
and equipment.
• Fire Prevention— extinguishers, alarms,
sprinklers, smoking rules, exits, personnel
assigned, separation of flammable materials
and dangerous operations, explosive- proof fix-tures
in hazardous locations, and waste dis-posal.
• Maintenance�� regularity, effectiveness,
training of personnel, materials and equip-ment
used, records maintained, method of
locking out machinery, and general methods.
• Personal Protective Equipment— type,
size, maintenance, repair, storage, assign-ment
of responsibility, purchasing methods,
standards observed, training in care and use,
rules of use, and method of assignment.
- 14-
These checklists are by no means all- inclusive.
You should add to them or delete portions or items
that do not apply to your operations; however,
carefully consider each item as you come to it and
then make your decision. You also will need to
refer to OSHA standards for complete and specific
standards that may apply to your work situation.
Employer Posting
Is the required OSHA workplace poster dis-played
in a prominent location where all
employees are likely to see it?
Are emergency telephone numbers posted
where they can be readily found in case of
emergency?
Where employees may be exposed to any
toxic substances or harmful physical agents,
has appropriate information concerning
employee access to medical and exposure
records and material safety data sheets
( MSDS) been posted or otherwise made
readily available to affected employees?
Are signs concerning “ Exiting from build-ings,”
room capacities, floor loading, biohaz-ards,
exposures to X- ray, microwave, or other
harmful radiation or substances posted
where appropriate?
Is the summary of occupational injuries and
illnesses posted in the month of February?
Recordkeeping
Are all occupational injuries and illnesses,
except minor injuries requiring only first aid,
being recorded as required on the OSHA 300
log?
Are employee medical records and records
of employee exposure to hazardous sub-stances
or harmful physical agents up- to-date
and in compliance with current OSHA
standards?
Are employee training records kept and
accessible for review by employees, when
required by OSHA standards?
Have arrangements been made to maintain
required records for the legal period of time
for each specific type of record? ( Some records
must be maintained for at least 40 years.)
Are operating permits and records up- to- date
for such items as elevators, air pressure
tanks, liquefied petroleum gas tanks, etc.?
Safety and Health Program
Do you have an active safety and health pro-gram
in operation that deals with general
safety and health program elements as well
as the management of hazards specific to
your worksite?
Is one person clearly responsible for the over-all
activities of the safety and health pro-gram?
Do you have a safety committee or group
made up of management and employee rep-resentatives
that meets regularly and
reports in writing on its activities?
Do you have a working procedure for han-dling
in- house employee complaints regard-ing
safety and health?
Are you keeping your employees advised of
the successful effort and accomplishments
you and/ or your safety committee have made
in ensuring they will have a workplace that
is safe and healthful?
Medical Services and First Aid
Is there a hospital, clinic or infirmary for
medical care in proximity of your workplace?
If medical and first aid facilities are not in
proximity of your workplace, is at least one
employee on each shift currently qualified to
render first aid?
Have all employees who are expected to
respond to medical emergencies as part of
their work*
( 1) received first aid training; ( 2) had hepati-tis
B vaccination made available to them; ( 3)
had appropriate training on procedures to
protect them from bloodborne pathogens,
including universal precautions; and ( 4) have
available and understand how to use appro-priate
personal protective equipment to pro-tect
against exposure to bloodborne diseases?
* In North Carolina, seasonal or temporary workers
who are employed for six months or less who render
first aid only as a collateral duty do not have to be
- 15-
Self- Inspection Checklists
Where employees have had an exposure inci-dent
involving bloodborne pathogens, did you
provide an immediate post- exposure medical
evaluation and follow- up?
Are medical personnel readily available for
advice and consultation on matters of
employees’ health?
Are emergency phone numbers posted?
Are first aid kits easily accessible to each
work area, with necessary supplies available,
periodically inspected and replenished as
needed?
Have first aid kit supplies been approved by
a physician, indicating that they are ade-quate
for a particular area or operation?
Are means provided for quick drenching
or flushing of the eyes and body in areas
where corrosive liquids or materials are
handled?
Fire Protection
Is your local fire department well acquainted
with your facilities, its location and specific
hazards?
If you have a fire alarm system, is it certified
as required?
If you have a fire alarm system, is it tested
at least annually?
If you have interior stand pipes and valves,
are they inspected regularly?
If you have outside private fire hydrants,
are they flushed at least once a year and
on a routine preventive maintenance
schedule?
offered pre- exposure hepatitis B vaccine if the employer
puts the following requirements into his/ her exposure
control plan and implements them: ( 1) the employer
must record all first aid incidents involving the pres-ence
of blood or other potentially infectious materials
before the end of the work shift during which the first
aid incident occurred; ( 2) the employer must comply
with post- exposure evaluation, prophylaxis and follow-up
requirements of the standard with respect to “ expo-sure
incidents,” as defined by the standard; ( 3) the
employer must train designated first aid providers
about the reporting procedure; ( 4) the employer must
offer to initiate hepatitis B vaccination series within 24
hours to all unvaccinated first aid providers who have
rendered assistance in any situation involving the pres-ence
of blood or other potentially infectious materials.
Are fire doors and shutters in good operating
condition?
Are fire doors and shutters unobstructed and
protected against obstructions, including
their counterweights?
Are fire door and shutter fusible links in
place?
Are automatic sprinkler system water control
valves, air and water pressure checked weekly/
periodically as required?
Is the maintenance of automatic sprinkler
systems assigned to responsible people or to
a sprinkler contractor?
Are sprinkler heads protected by metal
guards, when exposed to physical damage?
Is proper clearance maintained below sprin-kler
heads?
Are portable fire extinguishers provided in
adequate number and type?
Are fire extinguishers mounted in readily
accessible locations?
Are fire extinguishers recharged regularly
and noted on the inspection tag?
Are employees periodically instructed in the
use of extinguishers and fire protection pro-cedures?
Personal Protective Equipment
and Clothing
: Personal Protection Equipment 1910.132( b)
[ Note: 1910.132( b) Personal Protective Equipment
standard is amended to define the employer’s
responsibilities relating to the provision, adequa-cy
and maintenance of employee personal protec-tive
equipment. See 13 NCAC 07F. 101( 2) General
Industry, State- Specific Standards.]
( b) Equipment. ( 1) Employer- provided equip-ment.
It is the responsibility of the employer to
provide, at no cost to the employee, all personal
protective equipment which the employee does
not wear off the jobsite for use off the job. ( 2)
Employee- owned equipment. Where employees
provide their own protective equipment, the
employer shall be responsible to assure its ade-quacy,
including proper maintenance, and sanita-tion
of such equipment.
- 16-
Are protective goggles or face shields provided
and worn where there is any danger of flying
particles or corrosive materials?
Are approved safety glasses required to be
worn at all times in areas where there is a
risk of eye injuries such as punctures, abra-sions,
contusions or burns?
Are employees who need corrective lenses
( glasses or contacts) in working environ-ments
having harmful exposures required to
wear only approved safety glasses or protec-tive
goggles or use other medically approved
precautionary procedures?
Are protective gloves, aprons, shields or other
means provided and required where employ-ees
could be cut or where there is reasonably
anticipated exposure to corrosive liquids,
chemicals, blood or other potentially infec-tious
materials? ( See 29 CFR 1910.1030( b) for
the definition of “ other potentially infectious
materials.”)
Are hard hats provided and worn where
danger of falling objects exists?
Are hard hats inspected periodically for
damage to the shell and suspension system?
Is appropriate foot protection required where
there is the risk of foot injuries from hot,
corrosive, poisonous substances, falling
objects, crushing or penetrating actions?
Are approved respirators provided for regu-lar
or emergency use where needed?
Is all protective equipment maintained in a
sanitary condition and ready for use?
Do you have eye wash facilities and a quick
drench shower within the work area where
employees are exposed to injurious corrosive
materials?
Where special equipment is needed for elec-trical
workers, is it available?
Where food or beverages are consumed on the
premises, are they consumed in areas where
there is no exposure to toxic material, blood
or other potentially infectious materials?
Is protection against the effects of occupa-tional
noise exposure provided when sound
levels exceed those of the OSHA noise
standard?
Are adequate work procedures, protective
clothing, and equipment provided and used
when cleaning up spilled toxic or otherwise
hazardous materials and liquids?
Are there appropriate procedures in place for
disposing of or decontaminating personal pro-tective
equipment contaminated with, or rea-sonably
anticipated to be contaminated with,
blood or other potentially infectious materials?
General Work Environment
Are all worksites clean, sanitar, and orderly?
Are work surfaces kept dry or appropriate
means taken to ensure the surfaces are slip-resistant?
Are all spilled hazardous materials or liq-uids,
including blood and other potentially
infectious materials, cleaned up immediately
and according to proper procedures?
Are combustible scrap, debris and waste
stored safely and removed from the worksite
promptly?
Is all regulated waste, as defined in the
OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard ( 29
CFR 1910.1030), discarded according to
federal, state and local regulations?
Are accumulations of combustible dust
routinely removed from elevated surfaces
including the overhead structure of build-ings,
etc.?
Is combustible dust cleaned up with a vacu-um
system to prevent the dust going into sus-pension?
Is metallic or conductive dust prevented from
entering or accumulating on or around elec-trical
enclosures or equipment?
Are covered metal waste cans used for oily
and paint- soaked waste?
Are all oil and gas fired devices equipped with
flame failure controls that will prevent flow of
fuel if pilots or main burners are not working?
Are paint spray booths, dip tanks, etc.,
cleaned regularly?
Are the minimum number of toilets and
washing facilities provided?
Are all toilets and washing facilities clean
and sanitary?
- 17-
Are all work areas adequately illuminated?
Are pits and floor openings covered or other-wise
guarded?
Walkways
Are aisles and passageways kept clear?
Are aisles and walkways marked as appropriate?
Are wet surfaces covered with nonslip
materials?
Are holes in the floor, sidewalk or other
walking surfaces repaired properly, covered
or otherwise made safe?
Is there safe clearance for walking in aisles
where motorized or mechanical handling
equipment is operating?
Are materials or equipment stored in such a
way that sharp projectives will not interfere
with the walkway?
Are spilled materials cleaned up immediately?
Are changes of direction or elevation readily
identifiable?
Are aisles or walkways that pass near moving
or operating machinery, welding operations,
or similar operations arranged so employees
will not be subjected to potential hazards?
Is adequate headroom provided for the entire
length of any aisle or walkway?
Are standard guardrails provided wherever
aisle or walkway surfaces are elevated more
than 30 inches above any adjacent floor or
the ground?
Are bridges provided over conveyors and
similar hazards?
Floor and Wall Openings
Are floor openings guarded by a cover,
guardrail or equivalent on all sides ( except at
entrance to stairways or ladders)?
Are toeboards installed around the edges of
permanent floor openings ( where people may
pass below the opening)?
Are skylight screens of such construction and
mounting that they will withstand a load of
at least 200 pounds?
Is the glass in the windows, doors, glass
walls, etc., which are subject to human
impact, of sufficient thickness and type for
the condition of use?
Are grates or similar type covers over floor
openings such as floor drains of such design
that foot traffic or rolling equipment will not
be affected by the grate spacing?
Are unused portions of service pits and pits
not actually in use either covered or protect-ed
by guardrails or equivalent?
Are manhole covers, trench covers and simi-lar
covers, plus their supports, designed to
carry a truck rear axle load of at least 20,000
pounds when located in roadways and sub-ject
to vehicle traffic?
Are floor or wall openings in fire- resistive
construction provided with doors or covers
compatible with the fire rating of the struc-ture
and provided with a self- closing feature
when appropriate?
Stairs and Stairways
Are standard stair rails or handrails on all
stairways having four or more risers?
Are all stairways at least 22 inches wide?
Do stairs have landing platforms not less
than 30 inches in the direction of travel and
extend 22 inches in width at every 12 feet or
less of vertical rise?
Do stairs angle no more than 50 and no less
than 30 degrees?
Are stairs of hollow- pan type treads and
landings filled to the top edge of the pan with
solid material?
Are step risers on stairs uniform from top to
bottom?
Are steps on stairs and stairways designed
or provided with a surface that renders them
slip resistant?
Are stairway handrails located between 30
and 34 inches above the leading edge of stair
treads?
Do stairway handrails have at least 3 inches
of clearance between the handrails and the
wall or surface they are mounted on?
Where doors or gates open directly on a
stairway, is there a platform provided so the
swing of the door does not reduce the width
of the platform to less than 21 inches?
- 18-
Are stairway handrails capable of withstand-ing
a load of 200 pounds, applied within 2
inches of the top edge, in any downward or
outward direction?
Where stairs or stairways exit directly into any
area where vehicles may be operated, are ade-quate
barriers and warnings provided to pre-vent
employees stepping into the path of traffic?
Do stairway landings have a dimension
measured in the direction of travel at least
equal to the width of the stairway?
Is the vertical distance between stairway
landings limited to 12 feet or less?
Elevated Surfaces
Are signs posted, when appropriate, showing
the elevated surface load capacity?
Are surfaces elevated more than 30 inches
above the floor or ground provided with
standard guardrails?
Are all elevated surfaces ( beneath which
people or machinery could be exposed to
falling objects) provided with standard
4- inch toeboards?
Is a permanent means of access and egress
provided to elevated storage and work
surfaces?
Is required headroom provided where necessary?
Is material on elevated surfaces piled, stacked
or racked in a manner to prevent it from tip-ping,
falling, collapsing, rolling or spreading?
Are dock boards or bridge plates used when
transferring materials between docks and
trucks or rail cars?
Exiting or Egress
Are all exits marked with an exit sign and
illuminated by a reliable light source?
Are the directions to exits, when not immedi-ately
apparent, marked with visible signs?
Are doors, passageways or stairways that are
neither exits nor access to exits and which
could be mistaken for exits appropriately
marked “ NOT AN EXIT,” “ TO BASEMENT,”
“ STOREROOM,” etc.?
Are exit signs provided with the word “ EXIT”
in lettering at least 5 inches high and the
stroke of the lettering at least 1/ 2- inch wide?
Are exit doors side- hinged?
Are all exits kept free of obstructions?
Are at least two means of egress provided from
elevated platforms, pits or rooms where the
absence of a second exit would increase the risk
of injury from hot, poisonous, corrosive, suffo-cating,
flammable or explosive substances?
Are there sufficient exits to permit prompt
escape in case of emergency?
Are special precautions taken to protect
employees during construction and repair
operations?
Is the number of exits from each floor of a
building, and the number of exits from the
building itself, appropriate for the building
occupancy load?
Are exit stairways that are required to be
separated from other parts of a building
enclosed by at least two- hour fire- resistive
construction in buildings more than four sto-ries
in height, and not less than one- hour
fire- resistive construction elsewhere?
Where ramps are used as part of required
exiting from a building, is the ramp slope lim-ited
to 1 foot vertical and 12 feet horizontal?
Where exiting will be through frameless glass
doors, glass exit doors, storm doors, etc., are
the doors fully tempered and do they meet
the safety requirements for human impact?
Exit Doors
Are doors that are required to serve as exits
designed and constructed so that the way of
exit travel is obvious and direct?
Are windows that could be mistaken for exit
doors made inaccessible by means of barriers
or railings?
Are exit doors openable from the direction of
exit travel without the use of a key or any
special knowledge or effort when the build-ing
is occupied?
Is a revolving, sliding or overhead door pro-hibited
from serving as a required exit door?
Where panic hardware is installed on a
required exit door, will it allow the door to
open by applying a force of 15 pounds or less
in the direction of the exit traffic?
- 19-
Are doors on cold storage rooms provided
with an inside release mechanism that will
release the latch and open the door even if
it’s padlocked or otherwise locked on the
outside?
Where exit doors open directly onto any
street, alley or other area where vehicles
may be operated, are adequate barriers and
warnings provided to prevent employees
stepping into the path of traffic?
Are doors that swing in both directions and
are located between rooms where there is
frequent traffic provided with viewing panels
in each door?
Portable Ladders
Are all ladders maintained in good condition,
joints between steps and side rails tight, all
hardware and fittings securely attached,
and moveable parts operating freely without
binding or undue play?
Are nonslip safety feet provided on each
ladder?
Are nonslip safety feet provided on each
metal or rung ladder?
Are ladder rungs and steps free of grease
and oil?
Is it prohibited to place a ladder in front of
doors opening toward the ladder except when
the door is blocked open, locked or guarded?
Is it prohibited to place ladders on boxes,
barrels or other unstable bases to obtain
additional height?
Are employees instructed to face the ladder
when ascending or descending?
Are employees prohibited from using ladders
that are broken, missing steps, rungs, or
cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty
equipment?
Are employees instructed not to use the top
step of ordinary stepladders as a step?
When portable rung ladders are used to gain
access to elevated platforms, roofs, etc., does
the ladder always extend at least 3 feet
above the elevated surface?
Is it required that when portable rung or
cleat type ladders are used, the base is so
placed that slipping will not occur, or it is
lashed or otherwise held in place?
Are portable metal ladders marked with
signs reading “ CAUTION— Do Not Use
Around Electrical Equipment” or equivalent
wording?
Are employees prohibited from using ladders
as guys, braces, skids, gin poles, or for other
than their intended purposes?
Are employees instructed to only adjust
extension ladders while standing at a base
( not while standing on the ladder or from a
position above the ladder)?
Are metal ladders inspected for damage?
Are the rungs of ladders uniformly spaced at
12 inches, center to center?
Hand Tools and Equipment
Are all tools and equipment ( both company-and
employee- owned) used by employees at
their workplace in good condition?
Are hand tools such as chisels, punches, etc.,
that develop mushroomed heads during use,
reconditioned or replaced as necessary?
Are broken or fractured handles on hammers,
axes and similar equipment replaced promptly?
Are worn or bent wrenches replaced regularly?
Are appropriate handles used on files and
similar tools?
Are employees made aware of the hazards
caused by faulty or improperly used hand
tools?
Are appropriate safety glasses, face shields,
etc., used while using hand tools or other
equipment that might produce flying materi-als
or be subject to breakage?
Are jacks checked periodically to ensure they
are in good operating condition?
Are tool handles wedged tightly in the head
of all tools?
Are tool cutting edges kept sharp so the
tool will move smoothly without binding or
skipping?
Are tools stored in a dry, secure location
where they won’t be tampered with?
- 20-
Is eye and face protection used when driving
hardened or tempered studs or nails?
Portable ( Power- Operated) Tools
and Equipment
Are grinders, saws and similar equipment
provided with appropriate safety guards?
Are power tools used with the correct shield,
guard or attachment, recommended by the
manufacturer?
Are portable circular saws equipped with
guards above and below the base shoe?
Are circular saw guards checked to ensure
they are not wedged up, thus leaving the
lower portion of the blade unguarded?
Are rotating or moving parts of equipment
guarded to prevent physical contact?
Are all cord- connected, electrically operated
tools and equipment effectively grounded or
of the approved double- insulated type?
Are effective guards in place over belts, pul-leys,
chains, and sprockets on equipment such
as concrete mixers, air compressors, etc.?
Are portable fans provided with full guards
or screens having openings 1/ 2 inch or less?
Is hoisting equipment available and used for
lifting heavy objects, and are hoist ratings
and characteristics appropriate for the task?
Are ground- fault circuit interrupters pro-vided
on all temporary electrical 15 and 20
ampere circuits used during periods of
construction?
Are pneumatic and hydraulic hoses on
power- operated tools checked regularly for
deterioration or damage?
Abrasive Wheel Equipment— Grinders
Is the work rest used and kept adjusted to
within 1/ 8 inch of the wheel?
Is the adjustable tongue on the top side of
the grinder used and kept adjusted to within
1/ 4 inch of the wheel?
Do side guards cover the spindle, nut, flange
and 75 percent of the wheel diameter?
Are bench and pedestal grinders permanent-ly
mounted?
Are goggles or face shields always worn
when grinding?
Is the maximum RPM rating of each abra-sive
wheel compatible with the RPM rating
of the grinder motor?
Are fixed or permanently mounted grinders
connected to their electrical supply system
with metallic conduit or other permanent
wiring method?
Does each grinder have an individual on and
off control switch?
Is each electrically operated grinder effec-tively
grounded?
Before new abrasive wheels are mounted, are
they visually inspected and ring tested?
Are dust collectors and powered exhausts
provided on grinders used in operations that
produce large amounts of dust?
Are splash guards mounted on grinders that
use coolant to prevent the coolant from
reaching employees?
Is cleanliness maintained around grinders?
Powder- Actuated Tools
Are employees who operate powder- actuated
tools trained in their use and do they carry a
valid operator’s card?
Is each powder- actuated tool stored in its
own locked container when not being used?
Is a sign at least 7 inches by 10 inches
with bold face type reading “ POWDER-ACTUATED
TOOL IN USE” conspicuously
posted when the tool is being used?
Are powder- actuated tools left unloaded until
they are actually ready to be used?
Are powder- actuated tools inspected for
obstructions or defects each day before use?
Do powder- actuated tool operators have
and use appropriate personal protective
equipment such as hard hats, safety goggles,
safety shoes and ear protectors?
Machine Guarding
Is there a training program to instruct
employees on safe methods of machine
operation?
- 21-
Is there adequate supervision to ensure that
employees are following safe machine operat-ing
procedures?
Is there a regular program of safety inspec-tion
of machinery and equipment?
Is all machinery and equipment kept clean
and properly maintained?
Is sufficient clearance provided around and
between machines to allow for safe operations,
set up and servicing, material handling, and
waste removal?
Are equipment and machinery securely
placed and anchored when necessary to pre-vent
tipping or other movement that could
result in personal injury?
Is there a power shut- off switch within reach
of the operator’s position at each machine?
Can electric power to each machine be locked
out for maintenance, repair or security?
Are the noncurrent- carrying metal parts of
electrically operated machines bonded and
grounded?
Are foot- operated switches guarded or
arranged to prevent accidental actuation by
personnel or falling objects?
Are manually operated valves and switches
controlling the operation of equipment and
machines clearly identified and readily
accessible?
Are all emergency stop buttons colored red?
Are all pulleys and belts that are within
7 feet of the floor or working level properly
guarded?
Are all moving chains and gears properly
guarded?
Are splash guards mounted on machines that
use coolant to prevent the coolant from
reaching employees?
Are methods provided to protect the operator
and other employees in the machine area
from hazards created at the point of opera-tion,
ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying
chips and sparks?
Are machinery guards secure and so
arranged that they do not offer a hazard in
their use?
If special hand tools are used for placing
and removing material, do they protect the
operator’s hands?
Are revolving drums, barrels and containers
required to be guarded by an enclosure that
is interlocked with the drive mechanism, so
that revolution cannot occur unless the
guard enclosure is in place?
Do arbors and mandrels have firm and
secure bearings and are they free from play?
Are provisions made to prevent machines
from automatically starting when power is
restored after a power failure or shutdown?
Are machines constructed so as to be free
from excessive vibration when the largest
size tool is mounted and run at full speed?
If machinery is cleaned with compressed air,
is air pressure controlled and personal protec-tive
equipment or other safeguards utilized to
protect operators and other workers from eye
and body injury?
Are fan blades protected with a guard having
openings no larger than 1/ 2 inch when operat-ing
with 7 feet of the floor?
Are saws used for ripping equipped with
anti- kick back devices and spreaders?
Are radial arm saws so arranged that the
cutting head will gently return to the back of
the table when released?
Lockout/ Blockout Procedures
Is all machinery or equipment capable of
movement required to be de- energized or dis-engaged
and blocked or locked out during
cleaning, servicing, adjusting or setting up
operations, whenever required?
Where the power disconnecting means for
equipment does not also disconnect the elec-trical
control circuit:
Are the appropriate electrical enclosures
identified?
Is means provided to ensure the control cir-cuit
can also be disconnected and locked out?
Is the locking out of control circuits in lieu of
locking out main power disconnects prohibited?
- 22-
Are all equipment control valve handles pro-vided
with a means for locking out?
Does the lockout procedure require that
stored energy ( mechanical, hydraulic, air,
etc.) be released or blocked before equipment
is locked out for repairs?
Are appropriate employees provided with
individually keyed personal safety locks?
Are employees required to keep personal con-trol
of their key( s) while they have safety
locks in use?
Is it required that only the employee exposed
to the hazard place or remove the safety lock?
Is it required that employees check the safe-ty
of the lockout by attempting to start up
after making sure no one is exposed?
Are employees instructed to always push the
control circuit stop button prior to re- energiz-ing
the main power switch?
Is there a means provided to identify any or all
employees who are working on locked- out equip-ment
by their locks or accompanying tags?
Are a sufficient number of accident preven-tive
signs or tags and safety padlocks provid-ed
for any reasonably foreseeable repair
emergency?
When machine operations, configuration or
size requires the operator to leave his or her
control station to install tools or perform
other operations and that part of the machine
could move if accidentally activated, is such
element required to be separately locked or
blocked out?
In the event that equipment or lines cannot
be shut down, locked out and tagged, is a
safe job procedure established and rigidly
followed?
Welding, Cutting and Brazing
Are only authorized and trained personnel
permitted to use welding, cutting or brazing
equipment?
Do all operators have copies of the appropri-ate
operating instructions and are they
directed to follow them?
Are compressed gas cylinders regularly
examined for obvious signs of defects, deep
rusting or leakage?
Is care used in handling and storage of
cylinders, safety valves, relief valves, etc.,
to prevent damage?
Are precautions taken to prevent the mixture
of air or oxygen with flammable gases, except
at a burner or in a standard torch?
Are only approved apparatus ( torches, regu-lators,
pressure- reducing valves, acetylene
generators, manifolds) used?
Are cylinders kept away from sources of
heat?
Are the cylinders kept away from elevators,
stairs or gangways?
Is it prohibited to use cylinders as rollers or
supports?
Are empty cylinders appropriately marked
and their valves closed?
Are signs reading “ DANGER— NO SMOKING,
MATCHES OR OPEN LIGHTS,” or the equiv-alent,
posted?
Are cylinders, cylinder valves, couplings, reg-ulators,
hoses and apparatus kept free of oily
or greasy substances?
Is care taken not to drop or strike cylinders?
Unless secured on special trucks, are regula-tors
removed and valve protection caps put
in place before moving cylinders?
Do cylinders without fixed wheels have keys,
handles or nonadjustable wrenches on stem
valves when in service?
Are liquefied gases stored and shipped valve
end up with valve covers in place?
Are provisions made to never crack a fuel gas
cylinder valve near sources of ignition?
Before a regulator is removed, is the valve
closed and gas released from the regulator?
Is red used to identify the acetylene ( and
other fuel gas) hose, green for oxygen hose,
and black for inert gas and air hose?
Are pressure- reducing regulators used only
for the gas and pressures for which they are
intended?
Is open circuit ( no- load) voltage of arc weld-ing
and cutting machines as low as possible
and not in excess of the recommended limits?
- 23-
Under wet conditions, are automatic controls
for reducing no- load voltage used?
Is grounding of the machine frame and safe-ty
ground connections of portable machines
checked periodically?
Are electrodes removed from the holders
when not in use?
Is it required that electric power to the welder
be shut off when no one is in attendance?
Is suitable fire extinguishing equipment
available for immediate use?
Is the welder forbidden to coil or loop weld-ing
electrode cable around his or her body?
Are wet machines thoroughly dried and tested
before being used?
Are work and electrode lead cables frequent-ly
inspected for wear and damage and
replaced when needed?
Do means for connecting cable lengths have
adequate insulation?
When the object to be welded cannot be
moved and fire hazards cannot be removed,
are shields used to confine heat, sparks, and
slag?
Are fire watchers assigned when welding or
cutting is performed in locations where a
serious fire might develop?
Are combustible floors kept wet, covered by
damp sand or protected by fire- resistant
shields?
When floors are wet down, are personnel pro-tected
from possible electrical shock?
When welding is done on metal walls, are
precautions taken to protect combustibles on
the other side?
Before hot work is begun, are used drums,
barrels, tanks and other containers so thor-oughly
cleaned that no substances remain
that could explode, ignite or produce toxic
vapors?
Is it required that eye protection helmets,
hand shields and goggles meet appropriate
standards?
Are employees exposed to the hazards creat-ed
by welding, cutting or brazing operations
protected with personal protective equipment
and clothing?
Is a check made for adequate ventilation
where welding or cutting is performed?
When working in confined places, are envi-ronmental
monitoring tests taken and means
provided for quick removal of welders in case
of an emergency?
Compressors and Compressed Air
Are compressors equipped with pressure
relief valves and pressure gauges?
Are compressor air intakes installed and
equipped so as to ensure that only clean
uncontaminated air enters the compressor?
Are air filters installed on the compressor
intake?
Are compressors operated and lubricated in
accordance with the manufacturer’s recom-mendations?
Are safety devices on compressed air systems
checked frequently?
Before any repair work is done on the pres-sure
system of a compressor, is the pressure
bled off and the system locked- out?
Are signs posted to warn of the automatic
starting feature of the compressors?
Is the belt drive system totally enclosed to
provide protection for the front, back, top,
and sides?
Is it strictly prohibited to direct compressed
air towards a person?
Are employees prohibited from using highly
compressed air for cleaning purposes?
If compressed air is used for cleaning off cloth-ing,
is the pressure reduced to less than 30 psi?
When using compressed air for cleaning, do
employees wear protective chip guarding and
personal protective equipment?
Are safety chains or other suitable locking
devices used at couplings of high pressure
hose lines where a connection failure would
create a hazard?
Before compressed air is used to empty con-tainers
of liquid, is the safe working pressure
of the container checked?
- 24-
When compressed air is used with abrasive
blast cleaning equipment, is the operating
valve a type that must be held open
manually?
When compressed air is used to inflate auto
tires, is a clip- on chuck and an inline regula-tor
preset to 40 psi required?
Is it prohibited to use compressed air to clean
up or move combustible dust if such action
could cause the dust to be suspended in the
air and cause a fire or explosion hazard?
Compressed Air Receivers
Is every receiver equipped with a pressure
gauge and with one or more automatic
spring- loaded safety valves?
Is the total relieving capacity of the safety
valve capable of preventing pressure in the
receiver from exceeding the maximum allow-able
working pressure of the receiver by
more than 10 percent?
Is every air receiver provided with a drain
pipe and valve at the lowest point for the
removal of accumulated oil and water?
Are compressed air receivers periodically
drained of moisture and oil?
Are all safety valves tested frequently and at
regular intervals to determine whether they
are in good operating condition?
Is the inlet of air receivers and piping sys-tems
kept free of accumulated oil and car-bonaceous
materials?
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Are cylinders with a water weight capacity
over 30 pounds equipped with means for con-necting
a valve protector device or with a col-lar
or recess to protect the valve?
Are cylinders legibly marked to clearly iden-tify
the gas contained?
Are compressed gas cylinders stored in areas
that are protected from external heat sources
such as flame impingement, intense radiant
heat, electric arcs or high temperature lines?
Are cylinders located or stored in areas
where they will not be damaged by passing
or falling objects or subjected to tampering
by unauthorized people?
Are cylinders stored or transported in a man-ner
to prevent them from creating a hazard
by tipping, falling or rolling?
Are cylinders containing liquefied fuel gas
stored or transported in a position so that
the safety relief device is always in direct
contact with the vapor space in the cylinder?
Are valve protectors always placed on cylin-ders
when the cylinders are not in use or
connected for use?
Are all valves closed off before a cylinder is
moved, when the cylinder is empty, and at
the completion of each job?
Are low pressure fuel gas cylinders checked
periodically for corrosion, general distortion,
cracks or any other defect that might indi-cate
a weakness or render it unfit for serv-ice?
Does the periodic check of low pressure fuel
gas cylinders include a close inspection of the
cylinders’ bottoms?
Hoist and Auxiliary Equipment
Is each overhead electric hoist equipped
with a limit device to stop the hook travel
at its highest and lowest point of safe
travel?
Will each hoist automatically stop and hold
any load up to 125 percent of its rated load if
its actuating force is removed?
Is the rated load of each hoist legibly marked
and visible to the operator?
Are stops provided at the safe limits of travel
for trolley hoists?
Are the controls of hoists plainly marked to
indicate the direction of travel or motion?
Is each cage- controlled hoist equipped with
an effective warning device?
Are close- fitting guards or other suitable
devices installed on hoists to ensure hoist
ropes will be maintained in the sheave
grooves?
Are all hoist chains or ropes of sufficient
length to handle the full range of movement
of the application while still maintaining two
full wraps on the drum at all times?
- 25-
Are nip points or contact points between
hoist ropes and sheaves that are permanent-ly
located within 7 feet of the floor, ground or
working platform guarded?
Is it prohibited to use chains or rope slings
that are kinked or twisted?
Is it prohibited to use the hoist rope or chain
wrapped around the load as a substitute for
a sling?
Is the operator instructed to avoid carrying
loads over people?
Are only employees who have been trained in
the proper use of hoists allowed to operate
them?
Industrial Trucks— Forklifts
Are only drivers authorized by the employer
and trained in the safe operations of indus-trial
trucks permitted to operate such vehi-cles?
Methods must be devised to train oper-ators
in safe operation of powered industrial
trucks.
Does employer ensure that each powered
industrial truck operator is competent to
operate a powered industrial truck safely, as
demonstrated by the successful completion of
required training and evaluation in accor-dance
with 1910.178( l)— Operator Training?
Is substantial overhead protective equipment
provided on high lift rider equipment?
Are the required lift truck operating rules
posted and enforced?
Is directional lighting provided on each
industrial truck that operates in an area
with less than 2 footcandles per square foot
of general lighting?
Does each industrial truck have a warning
horn, whistle, gong or other device that can
be clearly heard above the normal noise in
the areas where operated?
Are the brakes on each industrial truck capa-ble
of bringing the vehicle to a complete and
safe stop when fully loaded?
Will the industrial truck’s parking brake
effectively prevent the vehicle from moving
when unattended?
Are industrial trucks operating in areas
where flammable gases or vapors or com-bustible
dust or ignitable fibers may be pres-ent
in the atmosphere approved for such
locations?
Are motorized hand and hand/ rider trucks so
designed that the brakes are applied and
power to the drive motor shuts off when the
operator releases his or her grip on the
device that controls the travel?
Are industrial trucks with internal combus-tion
engines, operated in buildings or
enclosed areas, carefully checked to ensure
such operations do not cause harmful concen-trations
of dangerous gases or fumes?
Spraying Operations
Is adequate ventilation ensured before spray
operations are started?
Is mechanical ventilation provided when spray-ing
operations are done in enclosed areas?
When mechanical ventilation is provided dur-ing
spraying operations, is it so arranged that
it will not circulate the contaminated air?
Is the spray area free of hot surfaces?
Is the spray area at least 20 feet from
flames, sparks, operating electrical motors
and other ignition sources?
Are portable lamps used to illuminate spray
areas suitable for use in a hazardous location?
Is approved respiratory equipment provided
and used when appropriate during spraying
operations?
Do solvents used for cleaning have a flash
point to 100 F or more?
Are fire control sprinkler heads kept clean?
Are “ NO SMOKING” signs posted in spray
areas, paint rooms, paint booths and paint
storage areas?
Is the spray area kept clean of combustible
residue?
Are spray booths constructed of metal, masonry
or other substantial noncombustible material?
Are spray booth floors and baffles noncom-bustible
and easily cleaned?
- 26-
Is infrared drying apparatus kept out of the
spray area during spraying operations?
Is the spay booth completely ventilated
before using the drying apparatus?
Is the electric drying apparatus properly
grounded?
Are lighting fixtures for spray booths located
outside of the booth and the interior lighted
through sealed clear panels?
Are the electric motors for exhaust fans
placed outside booths or ducts?
Are belts and pulleys inside the booth fully
enclosed?
Do ducts have access doors to allow cleaning?
Do all drying spaces have adequate ventilation?
Entering Confined Spaces
Are confined spaces thoroughly emptied of
any corrosive or hazardous substances, such
as acids or caustics, before entry?
Are all lines to a confined space containing
inert, toxic, flammable or corrosive materials
valved off and blanked or disconnected and
separated before entry?
Is it required that all impellers, agitators or
other moving equipment inside confined
spaces be locked out if they present a hazard?
Is either natural or mechanical ventilation
provided prior to confined space entry?
Are appropriate atmospheric tests performed
to check for oxygen deficiency, toxic sub-stances
and explosive concentrations in the
confined space before entry?
Is adequate illumination provided for the
work to be performed in the confined space?
Is the atmosphere inside the confined space
frequently tested or continuously monitored
during conduct of work?
Is there an assigned safety standby employee
outside of the confined space, when required,
whose sole responsibility is to watch the
work in progress, sound an alarm if neces-sary
and render assistance?
Is the standby employee appropriately trained
and equipped to handle an emergency?
Is the standby employee or other employees
prohibited from entering the confined space
without lifelines and respiratory equipment
if there is any question as to the cause of an
emergency?
Is approved respiratory equipment required
if the atmosphere inside the confined space
cannot be made acceptable?
Is all portable electrical equipment used
inside confined spaces either grounded and
insulated or equipped with ground fault
protection?
Before gas welding or burning is started in a
confined space, are hoses checked for leaks,
compressed gas bottles forbidden inside of
the confined space, torches lighted only out-side
of the confined area, and the confined
area tested for an explosive atmosphere each
time before a lighted torch is to be taken into
the confined space?
If employees will be using oxygen- consuming
equipment such as salamanders, torches, fur-naces,
etc., in a confined space, is sufficient
air provided to ensure combustion without
reducing the oxygen concentration of the
atmosphere below 19.5 percent by volume?
Whenever combustion- type equipment is
used in a confined space, are provisions made
to ensure the exhaust gases are vented out-side
of the enclosure?
Is each confined space checked for decaying
vegetation or animal matter that may pro-duce
methane?
Is the confined space checked for possible
industrial waste that could contain toxic
properties?
If the confined space is below the ground and
near areas where motor vehicles are operat-ing,
is it possible for vehicle exhaust or car-bon
monoxide to enter the space?
Environmental Controls
Are all work areas properly illuminated?
Are employees instructed in proper first aid
and other emergency procedures?
Are hazardous substances, blood and other
potentially infectious materials that may
cause harm by inhalation, ingestion, or skin
absorption or contact identified?
- 27-
Are employees aware of the hazards involved
with the various chemicals they may be
exposed to in their work environment, such
as ammonia, chlorine, epoxies, caustics, etc.?
Is employee exposure to chemicals in the
workplace kept within acceptable levels?
Are the safest methods and products being
used?
Is the work area’s ventilation system appro-priate
for the work being performed?
Are spray painting operations done in spray
rooms or booths equipped with an appropri-ate
exhaust system?
Is employee exposure to welding fumes con-trolled
by ventilation, use of respirators,
exposure time or other means?
Are welders and other workers nearby
provided with flash shields during welding
operations?
If forklifts and other vehicles are used in
buildings or other enclosed areas, are the
carbon monoxide levels kept below maximum
acceptable concentration?
Has there been a determination that noise
levels in the facilities are within acceptable
levels?
Are steps being taken to use engineering
controls to reduce excessive noise levels?
Are proper precautions being taken when han-dling
asbestos and other fibrous materials?
Are caution labels and signs used to warn of
hazardous substances ( e. g., asbestos) and
biohazards ( e. g., bloodborne pathogens)?
Are wet methods used, when practicable, to
prevent the emission of airborne asbestos
fibers, silica dust and similar hazardous
materials?
Are engineering controls examined and
maintained or replaced on a scheduled basis?
Is vacuuming with appropriate equipment
used whenever possible rather than blowing
or sweeping dust?
Are grinders, saws and other machines that
produce respirable dusts vented to an indus-trial
collector or central exhaust system?
Are all local exhaust ventilation systems
designed and operating properly such as air
flow and volume necessary for the applica-tion,
ducts not plugged, or belts slipping?
Is personal protective equipment provided,
used and maintained wherever required?
Are there written standard operating proce-dures
for the selection and use of respirators
where needed?
Are restrooms and washrooms kept clean
and sanitary?
Is all water provided for drinking, washing
and cooking potable?
Are all outlets for water not suitable for
drinking clearly identified?
Are employees’ physical capacities assessed
before being assigned to jobs requiring heavy
work?
Are employees instructed in the proper man-ner
of lifting heavy objects?
Where heat is a problem, have all fixed work
areas been provided with spot cooling or air
conditioning?
Are employees screened before assignment to
areas of high heat to determine if their
health condition might make them more sus-ceptible
to having an adverse reaction?
Are employees working on streets and road-ways
where they are exposed to the hazards
of traffic required to wear brightly colored
( traffic orange) warning vests?
Are exhaust stacks and air intakes so located
that contaminated air will not be recirculat-ed
within a building or other enclosed area?
Is equipment producing ultraviolet radiation
properly shielded?
Are universal precautions observed where
occupational exposure to blood or other
potentially infectious materials can occur
and in all instances where differentiation of
types of body fluids or potentially infectious
materials is difficult or impossible?
Flammable and Combustible Materials
Are combustible scrap, debris, and waste
materials ( oily rags, etc.) stored in covered
metal receptacles and removed from the
worksite promptly?
- 28-
Is proper storage practiced to minimize the
risk of fire, including spontaneous combus-tion?
Are approved containers and tanks used for
the storage and handling of flammable and
combustible liquids?
Are all connections on drums and com-bustible
liquid piping vapor and liquid tight?
Are all flammable liquids kept in closed con-tainers
when not in use ( e. g., parts cleaning
tanks, pans, etc.)?
Are bulk drums of flammable liquids grounded
and bonded to containers during dispensing?
Do storage rooms for flammable and com-bustible
liquids have explosion- proof lights?
Do storage rooms for flammable and com-bustible
liquids have mechanical or gravity
ventilation?
Is liquefied petroleum gas stored, handled,
and used in accordance with safe practices
and standards?
Are “ NO SMOKING” signs posted on lique-fied
petroleum gas tanks?
Are liquefied petroleum storage tanks guard-ed
to prevent damage from vehicles?
Are all solvent wastes and flammable liquids
kept in fire- resistant covered containers until
they are removed from the worksite?
Is vacuuming used wherever possible rather
than blowing or sweeping combustible dust?
Are firm separators placed between contain-ers
of combustibles or flammables, when
stacked one upon another, to ensure their
support and stability?
Are fuel gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders
separated by distance, fire- resistant barriers,
etc., while in storage?
Are fire extinguishers selected and provided
for the types of materials in areas where
they are to be used?
Class A Ordinary combustible material
fires.
Class B Flammable liquid, gas or grease
fires.
Class C Energized electrical equipment
fires.
Are appropriate fire extinguishers mounted
within 75 feet of outside areas containing
flammable liquids and within 10 feet of any
inside storage area for such materials?
Are extinguishers free from obstructions or
blockage?
Are all extinguishers serviced, maintained
and tagged at intervals not to exceed one
year?
Are all extinguishers fully charged and in
their designated places?
Where sprinkler systems are permanently
installed, are the nozzle heads so directed
and arranged that water will not be sprayed
into operating electrical switch boards and
equipment?
Are “ NO SMOKING” signs posted where
appropriate in areas where flammable or
combustible materials are used or stored?
Are safety cans used for dispensing flamma-ble
or combustible liquids at a point of use?
Are all spills of flammable or combustible
liquids cleaned up promptly?
Are storage tanks adequately vented to pre-vent
the development of excessive vacuum or
pressure as a result of filling, emptying or
atmosphere temperature changes?
Are storage tanks equipped with emergency
venting that will relieve excessive internal
pressure caused by fire exposure?
Are “ NO SMOKING��� rules enforced in areas
involving storage and use of hazardous
materials?
Hazardous Chemical Exposure
Are employees trained in the safe handling
practices of hazardous chemicals, such as
acids and caustics?
Are employees aware of the potential haz-ards
involving various chemicals stored or
used in the workplace, such as acids, bases,
caustics, epoxies, phenols, etc.?
Is employee exposure to chemicals kept with-in
acceptable levels?
Are eye wash fountains and safety showers
provided in areas where corrosive chemicals
are handled?
- 29-
- 30-
Are all containers, such as vats, storage
tanks, etc., labeled as to their contents, for
example, “ CAUSTICS”?
Are all employees required to use personal
protective clothing and equipment when han-dling
chemicals ( gloves, eye protection, respi-rators,
etc.)?
Are flammable or toxic chemicals kept in
closed containers when not in use?
Are chemical piping systems clearly marked
as to their content?
Where corrosive liquids are frequently han-dled
in open containers or drawn from stor-age
vessels or pipe lines, are adequate means
readily available for neutralizing or dispos-ing
of spills or overflows properly and safely?
Have standard operating procedures been
established and are they being followed
when cleaning up chemical spills?
Where needed for emergency use, are respi-rators
stored in a convenient, clean and sani-tary
location?
Are respirators intended for emergency use
adequate for the various uses for which they
may be needed?
Are employees prohibited from eating in areas
where hazardous chemicals are present?
Is personal protective equipment provided,
used and maintained whenever necessary?
Are there written standard operating proce-dures
for the selection and use of respirators
where needed?
If you have a respirator protection program,
are your employees instructed on the correct
usage and limitations of the respirators? Are
the respirators NIOSH approved for this par-ticular
application? Are they regularly inspect-ed
and cleaned, sanitized and maintained?
If hazardous substances are used in your
processes, do you have a medical or biological
monitoring system in operation?
Are you familiar with the threshold limit val-ues
or permissible exposure limits of air-borne
contaminants and physical agents
used in your workplace?
Have control procedures been instituted for
hazardous materials, where appropriate,
such as respirators, ventilation systems,
handling practices, etc.?
Whenever possible, are hazardous sub-stances
handled in properly designed and
exhausted booths or similar locations?
Do you use general dilution or local exhaust
ventilation systems to control dusts, vapors,
gases, fumes, smoke, solvents or mists that
may be generated in your workplace?
Is ventilation equipment provided for
removal of contaminants from such opera-tions
as production, grinding, buffing, spray
painting and/ or vapor degreasing and is it
operating properly?
Do you monitor employees to make sure there
are no complaints about dizziness, headaches,
nausea, irritation or other discomfort when
they use solvents or other chemicals?
Do you watch for employee health problems
such as dryness, irritation or sensitization of
the skin?
Have you considered the use of an industrial
hygienist or environmental health specialist
to evaluate your operation?
If internal combustion engines are used, is car-bon
monoxide kept within acceptable levels?
Is vacuuming used, rather than blowing or
sweeping dusts, whenever possible for cleanup?
Are materials that give off toxic, asphyxiant,
suffocating or anesthetic fumes stored in
remote or isolated locations when not in use?
Respiratory Protection Program
In any workplace where respirators are neces-sary
to protect the health of the employee or
whenever respirators are required by the employ-er,
established and implemented a written respi-ratory
protection program with worksite- specific
procedures? The program must be updated as
necessary to reflect those changes in workplace
conditions that affect respirator use. You must
include in the program the following provisions as
applicable:
11. Procedures for selecting respirators for
use in the workplace,
12. Medical evaluations of employees
required to use respirators,
13. Fit testing procedures for tight- fitting
respirators,
14. Procedures for proper use of respira-tors
in routine and reasonably foresee-able
emergency situations,
15. Procedures and schedules for cleaning,
disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repair-ing,
discarding and otherwise main-taining
respirators,
16. Procedures to ensure adequate air
quality, quantity and flow of breathing
air for atmosphere- supplying respira-tors,
17. Training of employees in the respirato-ry
hazards to which they are potential-ly
exposed during routine and emer-gency
situations,
18. Training of employees in the proper
use of respirators, including putting on
and removing them, any limitations on
their use, and their maintenance,
19. Procedures for regularly evaluating
the effectiveness of the program.
Hazardous Substances Communication
Is there a list of hazardous substances used
in your workplace?
Is there a current written exposure control
plan for occupational exposure to bloodborne
pathogens and other potentially infectious
materials, where applicable?
Is there a written hazard communication pro-gram
dealing with material safety data sheets
( MSDS), labeling and employee training?
Is each container for a hazardous substance
( including vats, bottles and storage tanks)
labeled with product identity and a hazard
warning ( communication of the specific
health hazards and physical hazards)?
Is there a material safety data sheet readily
available for each hazardous substance used?
Is there an employee training program for
hazardous substances?
This program needs to include:
11. An explanation of what an MSDS is
and how to use and obtain one.
12. MSDS contents for each hazardous
substance or class of substances.
13. Explanation of “ right to know.”
14. Identification of where employees can
see the employer’s written hazard
communication program and where
hazardous substances are present in
their work areas.
15. Physical and health hazards of sub-stances
in the work area and specific
protective measures to be used.
16. Details of the hazard communication
program, including how to use the
labeling system and MSDSs.
The employee training program on the blood-borne
pathogens standard needs to contain
the following elements:
11. An accessible copy of the standard and
an explanation of its contents.
12. A general explanation of the epide-miology
and symptoms of bloodborne
diseases.
13. An explanation of the modes of trans-mission
of bloodborne pathogens.
14. An explanation of the employer’s expo-sure
control plan and the means by
which employees can obtain a copy of
the written plan.
15. An explanation of the appropriate
methods for recognizing tasks and
other activities that may involve expo-sure
to blood and other potentially
infectious materials.
16. An explanation of the use and limita-tions
of methods that will prevent or
reduce exposure, including appropriate
engineering controls, work practices
and personal protective equipment.
17. Information on the types, proper use,
location, removal, handling, decontami-nation
and disposal of personal protec-tive
equipment.
18. An explanation of the basis for selec-tion
of personal protective equipment.
19. Information on the hepatitis B vaccine.
- 31-
10. Information on the appropriate actions
to take and people to contact in an
emergency involving blood or other
potentially infectious materials.
11. An explanation of the procedure to follow
if an exposure incident occurs, including
the methods of reporting the incident and
the medical follow- up that will be made
available.
12. Information on post- exposure evalua-tions
and follow- up.
13. An explanation of signs, labels and
color coding.
Are employees trained in the following:
How to recognize tasks that might result
in occupational exposure?
How to use work practice and engineering
controls and personal protective equip-ment
and to know their limitations?
How to obtain information on the types,
selection, proper use, location, removal,
handling, decontamination and disposal of
personal protective equipment?
Who to contact and what to do in an
emergency?
Electrical
Do you specify compliance with OSHA stan-dards
for all contract electrical work?
Are all employees required to report as soon
as practicable any obvious hazard to life or
property observed in connection with electri-cal
equipment or lines?
Are employees instructed to make prelimi-nary
inspections and/ or appropriate tests to
determine what conditions exist before start-ing
work on electrical equipment or lines?
When electrical equipment or lines are to be
serviced, maintained or adjusted, are neces-sary
switches opened, locked out and tagged
whenever possible?
Are portable electrical tools and equipment
grounded or of the double- insulated type?
Are electrical appliances such as vacuum
cleaners, polishers and vending machines
grounded?
Do extension cords being used have a
grounding conductor?
Are multiple- plug adapters prohibited?
Are ground- fault circuit interrupters installed
on each temporary 15 or 20 ampere, 120 volt
AC circuit at locations where construction,
demolition, modifications, alterations or exca-vations
are being performed?
Are all temporary circuits protected by suit-able
disconnecting switches or plug connec-tors
at the junction with permanent wiring?
Do you have electrical installations in haz-ardous
dust or vapor areas? If so, do they
meet the National Electrical Code ( NEC) for
hazardous locations?
Are exposed wiring and cords with frayed or
deteriorated insulation repaired or replaced
promptly?
Are flexible cords and cables free of splices or
taps?
Are clamps or other securing means provided
on flexible cords or cables at plugs, recepta-cles,
tools and equipment, and is the cord
jacket securely held in place?
Are all cord, cable and raceway connections
intact and secure?
In wet or damp locations, are electrical tools
and equipment appropriate for the use or
location or otherwise protected?
Is the location of electrical power lines and
cables ( overhead, underground, underfloor,
other side of walls) determined before digging,
drilling or similar work is begun?
Are metal measuring tapes, ropes, handlines
or similar devices with metallic thread
woven into the fabric prohibited where they
could come in contact with energized parts of
equipment of circuit conductors?
Is the use of metal ladders prohibited in
areas where the ladder or the person using
the ladder could come in contact with ener-gized
parts of equipment, fixtures or circuit
conductors?
Are all disconnecting switches and circuit
breakers labeled to indicate their use or
equipment served?
- 32-
Are disconnecting means always opened
before fuses are replaced?
Do all interior wiring systems include provi-sions
for grounding metal parts of electrical
raceways, equipment and enclosures?
Are all electrical raceways and enclosures
securely fastened in place?
Are all energized parts of electrical circuits
and equipment guarded against accidental
contact by approved cabinets or enclosures?
Is sufficient access and working space provid-ed
and maintained about all electrical equip-ment
to permit ready and safe operations
and maintenance?
Are all unused openings ( including conduit
knockouts) in electrical enclosures and fittings
closed with appropriate covers, plugs or plates?
Are electrical enclosures such as switches,
receptacles, junction boxes, etc., provided
with tight- fitting covers or plates?
Are disconnecting switches for electrical
motors in excess of 2 horsepower capable of
opening the circuit when the motor is in a
stalled condition without exploding? ( The
horsepower rating of switches must be equal to
or in excess of the motor’s horsepower rating.)
Is low voltage protection provided in the
control device of motors driving machines or
equipment that could cause probable injury
from inadvertent starting?
Is each motor disconnecting switch or circuit
breaker located within sight of the motor
control device?
Is each motor located within sight of its con-troller
or the controller disconnecting means
capable of being locked in the open position or
is a separate disconnecting means installed in
the circuit within sight of the motor?
Is the controller for each motor in excess of
2 horsepower rated in horsepower equal to or
in excess of the rating of the motor it serves?
Are employees who regularly work on or
around energized electrical equipment or
lines instructed in cardiopulmonary resusci-tation
( CPR)?
Are employees prohibited from working alone
on energized lines or equipment over 600 volts?
Noise
Does every area in the workplace have a
continuous noise level that does not exceed
85 dBA?
Is there an ongoing preventive health pro-gram
to educate employees in safe levels of
noise, exposures, effects of noise on their
health and the use of personal protection?
Have work areas where noise levels make
voice communication between employees dif-ficult
been identified and posted?
Are noise levels being measured using a
sound level meter or octave band analyzer
and are records being kept?
Have engineering controls been used to
reduce excessive noise levels? Where engi-neering
controls are determined to not be
feasible, are administrative controls ( such
as worker rotation) being used to minimize
individual employee exposure to noise?
Is approved hearing protective equipment
( noise attenuating devices) available to every
employee working in noisy areas?
Have you tried isolating noisy machinery
from the rest of your operation?
If you use ear protectors, are employees
properly fitted and instructed in their use?
Are employees in high noise areas given peri-odic
audiometric testing to ensure that you
have an effective hearing protection system?
Fueling
Is it prohibited to fuel an internal combus-tion
engine with a flammable liquid while
the engine is running?
Are fueling operations done in such a manner
that likelihood of spillage will be minimal?
When spillage occurs during fueling opera-tions,
is the spilled fuel washed away com-pletely,
evaporated, or other measures taken
to control vapors before restarting the engine?
Are fuel tank caps replaced and secured
before starting the engine?
In fueling operations, is there always metal
contact between the container and the fuel
tank?
- 33-
Are fueling hoses of a type designed to han-dle
the specific type of fuel?
Is it prohibited to handle or transfer gasoline
in open containers?
Are open lights, open flames, or sparking or
arcing equipment prohibited near fueling or
transfer of fuel operations?
Is smoking prohibited in the vicinity of fuel-ing
operations?
Are fueling operations prohibited in build-ings
or other enclosed areas that are not
specifically ventilated for this purpose?
Where fueling or transfer of fuel is done
through a gravity flow system, are the
nozzles of the self- closing type?
Identification of Piping Systems
When nonpotable water is piped through a
facility, are outlets or taps posted to alert
employees that it is unsafe and not to be used
for drinking, washing or other personal use?
When hazardous substances are transported
through above ground piping, is each
pipeline identified at points where confusion
could introduce hazards to employees?
When a pipeline is identified by color painting,
are all visible parts of the line so identified?
When pipelines are identified by color painted
bands or tapes, are the bands or tapes located
at reasonable intervals and at each outlet,
valve or connection?
When pipelines are identified by color, is the
color code posted at all locations where con-fusion
could introduce hazards to employees?
When the contents of pipelines are identified
by name or name abbreviation, is the infor-mation
readily visible on the pipe near each
valve or outlet?
When pipelines carrying hazardous sub-stances
are identified by tags, are the tags
constructed of durable materials, the mes-sage
carried clearly and permanently distin-guishable,
and are tags installed at each
valve or outlet?
When pipelines are heated by electricity,
steam or another external source, are suitable
warning signs or tags placed at unions, valves
or other serviceable parts of the system?
Materials Handling
Is there safe clearance for equipment
through aisles and doorways?
Are aisleways designated, permanently
marked and kept clear to allow unhindered
passage?
Are motorized vehicles and mechanized
equipment inspected daily or before use?
Are vehicles shut off and brakes set before
loading or unloading?
Are containers of combustibles or flamma-bles,
when stacked while being moved,
always separated by dunnage sufficient to
provide stabi

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A Guide to OSHA for
Small Businesses in
North Carolina
Bobby R. Davis
Series Editor
N. C. Department of Labor
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101
Cherie K. Berry
Commissioner of Labor
N. C. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Program
Cherie K. Berry
Commissioner of Labor
OSHA State Plan Designee
Allen McNeely
Deputy Commissioner for Safety and Health
Kevin Beauregard
Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Safety and Health
Acknowledgment
This guide is based upon the OSHA Handbook for Small Businesses, published by the U. S. Department of
Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Most of the material in this guide is taken directly from
that excellent publication, although some changes have been made to reflect the OSHA program in North Carolina.
This guide is intended to be consistent with all existing OSHA standards; therefore, if an area is considered by
the reader to be inconsistent with a standard, then the OSHA standard should be followed.
To obtain additional copies of this book, or if you have questions about N. C. occupational safety and health standards or
rules, please contact:
N. C. Department of Labor
Bureau of Education, Training and Technical Assistance
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101
Phone: ( 919) 807- 2875 or 1- 800- NC- LABOR ( 1- 800- 625- 2267)
____________________
Additional sources of information are listed on the inside back cover of this book.
____________________
The projected cost of the OSHNC program for federal fiscal year 2004– 2005 is $ 13,330,705. Federal funding provides approximately 38 percent ($ 5,162,000) of this
total.
Printed 8/ 05
- iii-
Contents
Part Page
Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1v
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2 A Four- Point Workplace Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3 Starting Your Voluntary Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4 Self- Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Self- Inspection Checklists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5 Assistance in Problem Solving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Overall Action Plan Worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
- v-
Foreword
North Carolina is a state built on the success
of its small businesses. From the small manufac-turing
plants located along our mountain roads
to the restaurants lining our beaches, small busi-ness
owners and workers build North Carolina’s
economic backbone.
No one doubts that small business employers
often face special challenges in dealing with
workplace safety and health hazards. Unlike
large corporations, which can afford to hire full-time
safety engineers and industrial hygienists,
small businesses usually must rely on consult-ants,
workshops and other methods to meet
their safety goals.
This is why the N. C. Department of Labor has
created this new publication— to help small busi-ness
employers establish their own safety and
health programs. This booklet advises employers
on how to manage safety and health protection
at their own worksites and explains how to
obtain free, on- site consultative visits by safety
and health professionals.
In North Carolina, DOL inspectors enforce the
federal Occupational Safety and Health Act
through a state plan approved by the U. S.
Department of Labor. The N. C. Department of
Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and
Health offers many educational programs to the
public and produces publications, including this
guide, to help inform people about their rights
and responsibilities regarding occupational safe-ty
and health.
We at the N. C. Department of Labor hope that
every small business owner will recognize the
value of positive, cooperative action— among
employers, employees and government— to provide
safe and healthful workplaces across our state.
Reading and utilizing A Guide to OSHA for Small
Businesses in North Carolina is a great place to
start.
Cherie K. Berry
Commissioner of Labor
A Profit and Loss Statement
As a small business owner, you are characteris-tically
a risk taker. You wager your business
acumen against larger, perhaps more heavily
financed corporate groups and other free- spirited,
self- employed individuals like yourself. Excite-ment
and challenge are the natural elements in
such a venture. But to succeed, you need good
management information, an ability to be a good
manager of people, and the intelligence and inner
strength both to make decisions and to make the
right decisions.
Thousands of workers die each year, and many,
many more suffer injury or illness from condi-tions
at work. But how often does an owner or
manager like you actually see or even hear about
work- related deaths, serious injuries or illnesses
in the businesses with which you are familiar?
How often has your business actually sustained
this type of loss?
In most small businesses, the answer is rarely.
For this reason, many owners/ managers do not
understand why there is controversy about
OSHA, job safety and health standards, inspec-tions,
citations, etc.
But others have learned why. Unfortunately,
they have had to go through the kind of loss we
are talking about. And these owners/ managers
will tell you that it is too late to do anything once
a serious accident happens. They now know that
prevention is the only real way to avoid this loss.
Reducing all losses is a goal that you as an
owner or manager clearly share with us in the
NCDOL’s Division of Occupational Safety and
Health ( OSH). Each of us may see this goal in a
slightly different light, but it remains our common
intent.
We have learned from small employers, like
you, that you place a high value on the health and
well- being of your employees. Like many small
businesses, you probably employ family members
and personal acquaintances. And, if you don’t
know your employees before they are hired, then
chances are that the very size of your workgroup
and workplace will promote the closeness and con-cern
for one another that small businesses value.
Assuming that your commitment to safe and
healthful work practices is a given ingredient, we
in OSH want to work with you to prevent all loss-es.
We believe that when you make job safety and
health a real part of your everyday operations,
you cannot lose in the long run.
Successful safety and health activity now will
enable you to avoid possible losses in the future.
Developing a Profitable Strategy
for Handling Occupational Safety
and Health
Many people confuse the idea of “ accidents”
with the notion of acts of God. The difference is
clear. Floods and tornadoes cannot be prevented
by the owner or manager of a small business. But
workplace accidents can be prevented.
Nobody wants accidents to happen in his or her
business. A serious fire or the death of an employ-ee
or an owner can cause the loss of a great
amount of profit or, in some cases, even an entire
business. To prevent such losses, you don’t have
to turn your place upside down. You may not have
to spend a lot of money either. You may only need
to use good business sense and to apply recog-nized
prevention principles.
There are reasons why accidents happen.
Something goes wrong somewhere. It may take
some thought, and maybe the help of friends or
other trained people, to figure out what went
wrong, but there will be a cause— a reason why.
Once you know the cause, it is possible to prevent
an accident. You need some basic facts and per-haps
some help from others who know some of
the answers already. You also need a plan— a plan
for preventing accidents.
Not all danger at your worksite depends on an
accident to cause harm, of course. Worker expo-sure
to toxic chemicals or harmful levels of noise
or radiation may happen in conjunction with
routine work as well as by accident. You may not
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1.
Introduction
realize the extent of the exposure on the part of
you and/ or your employees or the harm that may
result. The effect may not appear immediately,
but it may be fatal in the long run. You need a
plan that includes prevention of these “ health
hazard exposures” as well as accidents. You need
a safety and health protection plan.
It is not a difficult task to develop such a plan.
Basically, you only need to concern yourself with
those types of accidents and health hazard expo-sures
that could happen in your workplace.
Because each workplace is different, your pro-gram
may be different from one that your neigh-bor
or your competitor might use. But this is not
important. You want it to reflect your way of
doing business, not theirs.
While the details may vary, there are four basic
elements that are always found in workplaces
with a good accident prevention program. They
are:
1. The manager or management team leads the
way, especially by setting policy, assigning
and supporting responsibility, setting an
example, and involving employees.
2. The worksite is continually analyzed to iden-tify
all hazards and potential hazards.
3. Methods for preventing or controlling exist-ing
or potential hazards are put in place and
maintained.
4. Managers, supervisors and employees are
trained to understand and deal with work-site
hazards.
Regardless of the size of your business, you
should use each of these elements to prevent
workplace accidents and possible injuries and
illnesses.
Developing a workplace program following
these four points should lead you to do all the
things needed to protect you and your workers’
safety and health. If you already have a program,
reviewing it in relation to these elements should
help you improve what you have.
If you follow it, this four- point approach to safe-ty
and health protection in your business should
also help you to improve efficiency. It may help
you reduce insurance claims and other costs.
While it does not guarantee complete compliance
with OSHA standards, the approach will help you
toward full compliance and beyond. It will cer-tainly
give you a way to express and document
your good faith.
This approach usually does not involve large
costs. Especially in smaller businesses, it general-ly
does not require additional employees. Usually
it can be integrated into your other business func-tions
with modest effort on your part.
The key to the success of this plan is to see it as
a part of your business operation and to see it
reflected in all your work. As you continue doing
it, the program becomes easier. It becomes built-in
and then you need only check on it periodically
to be sure everything is working well.
In part 2, we give short titles for each of the
elements and then give short descriptions and
illustrations for each. Since most employers, like
you, are pressed for time, these descriptions are
capsules of information to assist you in thinking
through and getting started on your own
approach.
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The four- point workplace program described
here is based upon the Safety and Health
Management Guidelines issued by federal OSHA
on Jan. 26, 1989. Although voluntary, these
guidelines represent OSHA’s policy on what every
worksite should have in place to protect workers
from occupational hazards. The guidelines are
based heavily on OSHA’s experience with the
Voluntary Protection Programs ( VPP). These vol-untary
programs are designed to recognize and
promote effective safety and health management
as the best means of ensuring a safe and health-ful
workplace.
Using the Four- Point Program
As you go through this part and those that fol-low,
we encourage you to use the action plan form
that you can remove or duplicate from the back of
this publication to jot down the actions that you
wish to take to help make your workplace safer
and more healthful for your employees. Noting
those actions as you go along will make it much
easier for you to assemble the total plan you need.
Point One:
Management Commitment and
Employee Involvement.
As the owner or manager of a small business,
your attitude toward job safety and health will be
reflected by your employees. If you are not inter-ested
in preventing employee injury and illness,
nobody else is likely to be.
At all times, demonstrate your personal con-cern
for employee safety and health and the pri-ority
you place on them in your workplace. Your
policy must be clearly set. Only you can show its
importance through your own actions.
Demonstrate to your employees the depth of
your commitment by involving them in planning
and carrying out your efforts. If you seriously
involve your employees in identifying and resolv-ing
safety and health problems, they will commit
their unique insights and energy to helping
achieve the objectives of your program.
Consider forming a joint employee- manage-ment
safety committee. This can assist you in
starting a program and will help maintain inter-est
in the program once it is operating. Commit-tees
can be an excellent way of communicating
safety and health information. If you have few
employees, consider rotating them so that all can
have an active part in the safety and health pro-gramming.
The men and women who work for
you are among the most valuable assets you
have. Their safety, health and goodwill are
essential to the success of your business. Having
them cooperate with you in protecting their
safety and health not only helps to keep them
healthy— it makes your job easier.
As a small business employer, you have inher-ent
advantages, such as close contact with your
employees, a specific acquaintance with the prob-lems
of the whole business, and usually a low
worker turnover. Probably you have already
developed a personal relationship of loyalty and
cooperation that can be built up very easily.
These advantages may not only increase your
concern for your employees but also may make it
easier to get their help.
Here are some actions to take:
• Post your own policy on the importance of
worker safety and health next to the N. C.
Department of Labor’s “ Notice to Employees”
poster where all employees can
see it.
• Hold a meeting with all your employees to
communicate that policy to them and to dis-cuss
your objectives for safety and health for
the rest of the year. ( These objectives will
result from the decisions you make about
changes you think are needed after you finish
reading this publication.)
• Make sure that support from the top is visi-ble
by taking an active part, personally, in
the activities that are part of your safety and
health program. For example, personally
review all inspection and accident reports to
ensure follow- up when needed.
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2.
A Four- Point Workplace Program
• Ensure that you, your managers and super-visors
follow all safety requirements that
employees must follow, even if you are only in
their area briefly. If, for instance, you require
a hard hat, safety glasses and/ or safety shoes
in an area, wear them yourself when you are
in that area.
• Use your employees’ special knowledge and
help them buy into the program by having
them make inspections, put on safety train-ing
and/ or help investigate accidents.
• Make clear assignments of responsibility for
every part of the program that you develop.
Make certain everyone understands them.
The more people involved the better. A good
rule of thumb is to assign safety and health
responsibilities in the same way you assign
production responsibilities. Make it a special
part of everyone’s job to operate safely. That
way, as you grow and disperse production
responsibilities more widely, you will dis-perse
safety and health responsibilities with
them.
• Give those with responsibility enough people,
on- the- clock time, training, money and
authority to get the job done.
• Do not forget about it after you make assign-ments:
make sure personally that they get
the job done. Recognize and reward those
who do well and correct those who don’t.
• Take time, at least annually, to review what
you have accomplished against what you set
as your objectives and decide if you need new
objectives or program revisions to get where
you want to be.
Point Two:
Worksite Analysis
It is your responsibility to know what you have
in your workplace that could hurt your workers.
Worksite analysis is a group of processes that
helps you make sure that you know what you need
to keep your workers safe. You may need help in
getting started with these processes. You can call
on the state Bureau of Consultative Services for
this help. ( See the inside back cover for address
and telephone number.) Once you get everything
set up, you or your employees can do many of
them.
Here are some actions to take:
• Request a consultation visit from the Bureau
of Consultative Services covering both safety
and health to get a full survey of the hazards
that exist in your workplace and those that
could develop. ( You can also contract for such
services from expert private consultants if
you prefer.)
• Set up a way to get expert help when you
make changes, to be sure that the changes are
not introducing new hazards into your work-place.
Also, find ways to stay current on newly
recognized hazards in your industry.
• Make an assignment ( maybe to teams that
include employees) to look carefully at each
job from time to time, taking it apart step- by-step
to see if there are any hidden hazards in
the equipment or procedures. Some training
may be necessary at the start.
• Set up a system of checking to make sure
that your hazard controls have not failed and
that new hazards have not appeared. This is
usually done by routine self- inspections. You
can use the checklists in part 4 of this book
as a starting point. Add items to them that
better fit your situation. Subtract from them
those items that do not fit your situation.
• Provide a way for your employees to let you
or another member of management know
when they see things that look harmful to
them and encourage them to use it.
• Learn how to do a thorough investigation
when things do go wrong and someone gets
sick or hurt. This will help you find ways to
prevent recurrences.
�� Initially, take the time to look back over sev-eral
years of injury or illness experience to
identify patterns that can lead to further pre-vention.
Thereafter, periodically look back
over several months of experience to deter-mine
if any new patters are developing.
Point Three:
Hazard Prevention and Control
Once you know what your hazards and poten-tial
hazards are, you are ready to put in place the
systems that prevent or control those hazards.
Your state consultant can help you do this.
- 4-
Whenever possible, you will want to eliminate
those hazards. Sometimes that can be done
through substitution of a less toxic material or
through engineering controls that can be built in.
When you cannot eliminate hazards, systems
should be set up to control them.
Here are some actions to take:
• Set up safe work procedures, based on the
analysis of the hazards in your employees’
jobs ( discussed above), and make sure that
the employees doing each job understand the
procedures and follow them. This may be eas-ier
if employees are involved in the analysis
that results in those procedures.
• Be ready, if necessary, to enforce the rules for
safe work procedures by asking your employ-ees
to help you set up a disciplinary system
that will be fair and understood by everyone.
• Where necessary to protect your employees,
provide personal protective equipment ( PPE)
and be sure your employees know why they
need it, how to use it and how to maintain it.
• Provide for regular equipment maintenance to
prevent breakdowns that can create hazards.
• Plan for emergencies, including fire and nat-ural
disasters, and drill everyone frequently
enough so that if the real thing happens,
everyone will know what to do even under
stressful conditions.
• Ask your state consultant to help you develop
a medical program that fits your worksite
and involves nearby doctors and emergency
facilities. Invite these medical personnel to
visit the plant before emergencies occur to
help you plan the best way to avoid injuries
and illness during emergency situations.
• You must ensure the ready availability of
medical personnel for advice and consultation
on matters of employee health. This does
not mean that you must provide health
care. But, if health problems develop in your
workplace, you are expected to get medical
help to treat them and their causes.
To fulfill the above requirements, consider the
following:
• You should have an emergency medical pro-cedure
for handling injuries, transporting ill
or injured workers, and notifying medical
facilities with a minimum of confusion.
Posting emergency numbers is a good idea.
• Survey the medical facilities near your
place of business and make arrangements
for them to handle routine and emergency
cases. Cooperative agreements could possi-bly
be made with nearby larger plants that
have medical personnel and/ or facilities on
site.
• You should have a procedure for reporting
injuries and illnesses that is understood by
all employees.
• If your business is remote from medical facili-ties,
you are required to ensure that one or
more people be adequately trained and avail-able
to render first aid. Adequate first aid
supplies must be readily available for emer-gency
use. Arrangements for this training can
be made through your local Red Cross chap-ter,
your insurance carrier, your local safety
council and others.
• You should check battery charging stations,
maintenance operations, laboratories, heating
and ventilating operations, and any corrosive
materials areas to make sure you have the
required eye wash facilities and showers.
• Consider retaining a local doctor or an occu-pational
health nurse on a part- time or as-used
basis to advise you in your medical and
first aid planning
Point Four:
Training for Employees, Supervisors and
Managers
An effective accident prevention program
requires proper job performance from everyone in
the workplace.
As an owner or manager, you must ensure that
all employees know about the materials and
equipment they work with, what known hazards
are in the operation, and how you are controlling
the hazards.
Each employee needs to know the following:
• No employee is expected to undertake a job
until he or she has received job instructions
on how to do it properly and has been author-ized
to perform that job.
- 5-
• No employee should undertake a job that
appears unsafe.
You may be able to combine safety and health
training with other training that you do, depend-ing
upon the kinds of potential and existing haz-ards
that you have. With training, the “ proof is in
the pudding” in that the result that you want is
all employees knowing what they need to know
to keep themselves and their fellow workers safe
and healthy.
Here are some actions to take:
• Ask your state consultant to recommend
training for your worksite. The consultant
may be able to do some of the training while
he or she is there.
• Make sure you have trained your employees
on every potential hazard that they could be
exposed to and how to protect themselves.
Then verify that they really understand what
you taught them.
• Pay particular attention to your new employ-ees
and to old employees who are moving to
new jobs. Because they are learning new
operations, they are more likely to get hurt.
• Make sure that you train your supervisors to
know all the hazards that face the people
they supervise and how to reinforce training
with quick reminders and refreshers, and
with disciplinary action if necessary. Verify
that they know what is expected of them.
• Make sure that you and your top manage-ment
staff understand all of your responsibil-ities
and how to hold subordinate supervisory
employees accountable for theirs.
Documenting Your Activities
Document your activities in all elements of the
four- point workplace program. Essential records,
including those legally required for workers’ com-pensation,
insurance audits and government
inspections, must be maintained as long as the
actual need exists. Keeping records of your activi-ties,
such as policy statements, training sessions
for management and employees safety and health
meetings held, information distributed to employ-ees,
and medical arrangements made, is greatly
encouraged. Maintaining essential records also
will aid:
1. The demonstration of sound business man-agement
as supporting proof for credit appli-cations,
for showing “ good faith” in reducing
any proposed penalties from OSH inspec-tions,
for insurance audits and others; and
2. The efficient review of your current safety
and health activities for better control of
your operations and to plan improvements.
Safety and Health Recordkeeping
Records of sales, costs, profits and losses are
essential to all successful businesses. They enable
the owner or manager to learn from experience and
to make corrections for future operations. Records
of accidents, related injuries, illnesses and property
losses can serve the same purpose, if they are used
the same way. The sole purpose of OSHA record-keeping
is to store factual information about cer-tain
accidents that have happened. When the facts
have been determined, causes can often be identi-fied,
and control procedures can be instituted to
prevent similar occurrences from happening.
Injury/ Illness Records
There are injury/ illness recordkeeping require-ments,
addressed in Part 1904 ( Recording and
Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses), to
cover OSHA standards that require a minimum of
paperwork. OSHA issued a revised rule to
improve the system that employers use to track
and record workplace injuries and illnesses. The
final rule became effective Jan. 1, 2002. The
OSHA Form 200 was replaced in the new rule.
Three updated recordkeeping forms were devel-oped
and are now in effect as follows: The new
OSHA Form 300 ( Log of Work- Related Injuries
and Illnesses) has been simplified and can be
printed on smaller legal- sized paper. The new
OSHA Form 301 ( Injury and Illness Incident
Report) includes more data about how the injury
or illness occurred. The new OSHA Form 300A
( Summary of Work- Related Injuries and Illnesses)
provides additional data to make it easier for
employers to calculate incidence rates.
Maintaining these records will provide you with
one measure for evaluating the success of your
safety and health activities. Success would gener-ally
mean a lack of, or a reduced number of,
employee injuries and illnesses during a calendar
year.
- 6-
There are five important steps required by the
OSHA recordkeeping system:
1. Obtain a report on every injury requiring
medical treatment ( other than first aid).
2. Record each injury on the OSHA 300 Log
according to the instructions provided.
3. Prepare a supplementary record of occupa-tional
injuries and illnesses for recordable
cases either on OSHA Form No. 101 or on
workers’ compensation reports giving the
same information.
4. Every year, prepare the annual summary
( OSHA 300 Log); post it no later than Feb. 1,
and keep it posted until April 30 ( ref.
1904.32). ( Next to the N. C. Department of
Labor’s workplace poster is a good place to
post it.)
5. Retain these records for at least five years.
During the year, periodically review the records
to see where injuries are occurring. Look for any
patterns or repeat situations. These records can
help you to identify high risk areas that demand
your immediate attention.
Since the basic OSHA records include only
injuries and illnesses, you might consider expand-ing
your own system to include all incidents,
including those where no injury or illness result-ed,
if you think such information would assist you
in pinpointing unsafe conditions and/ or proce-dures.
Safety councils, insurance carriers and oth-ers
can assist you in instituting such a system.
Injury/ illness recordkeeping makes sense, and
we recommend this practice to all employers.
However, you are not required to keep records
under the OSHA injury/ illness recordkeeping sys-tem
if you employ 10 or fewer employees.
Regardless of the number of employees you
have, you may be selected for inclusion in an
annual sample survey. You will receive a letter
directly from the N. C. Department of Labor’s
Research and Policy Division with instructions if
you are selected.
Exposure Records and Others
The injury/ illness records may not be the only
records you will need to maintain. Certain OSHA
standards that deal with toxic substances and
hazardous exposures require records on the expo-sure
of employees, physical examination reports,
employment records, etc.
As you work on identifying hazards, you will be
able to determine whether these requirements
apply to your situation on a case- by- case basis.
We mention it here so that you will be aware of
these records and that, if required, they should be
used with your control procedures and with your
self- inspection activity. They should not be consid-ered
merely as bookkeeping.
- 7-
You can use this basic action plan to get started
on your program.
To avoid confusion, we need to explain that this
action plan is not organized solely in the order of
the four points we described in part 2. Rather, it
provides the most direct route to getting yourself
organized to complete your four- point program.
When you have completed your action plan,
your activity should be organized around the four
points described in part 2.
Decide to Start Now
The time to start your safety and health pro-gram
is now. You have a better picture of what
constitutes a good safety and health program.
Now you can address the practical concerns of
putting these elements together and coming up
with a program to suit your workplace.
Presumably you have been taking notes for
your action plan as you went through the preced-ing
description of the four- point program. You
should be ready now to decide exactly what you
want to accomplish and to determine what steps
are necessary to achieve your goals. Then you will
plan how and when each step will be done and
who will do it.
Your plan should consider your company’s
immediate needs and provide for ongoing, long-lasting
worker protection. Once your plan is
designed, it is important to follow through and
use it in the workplace. You will then have a
program to anticipate, identify and eliminate
conditions or practices that could result in
injuries and illnesses.
If you have difficulty in deciding where to begin, a
phone call to the OSH Bureau of Consultative
Services will get you the assistance you need. A state
consultant will survey your workplace for existing or
potential hazards. Then, if you request it, he or she
will determine what you need to make your safety
and health program effective. The consultant will
work with you to develop a plan for making these
improvements and to establish procedures for mak-ing
sure that your program stays effective.
Whether you choose to work with a consultant
or to develop your program yourself, there are
other publications similar to this one that spell
out in greater detail the steps you can take to cre-ate
an effective safety and health program for
your workplace. The rewards for your efforts will
be a workplace with a high level of efficiency and
productivity and a low level of loss and injury.
Designating Responsibility
You must decide who in your company is the
most appropriate person to manage your safety
and health program. Who can be sure that the
program will become an integral part of the busi-ness?
In many cases it will be the owner. Some-times
it will be the plant manager or a key super-visor.
It could even be an engineer, personnel spe-cialist
or other staff member.
You should choose someone who is as committed
to workplace safety and health as you are, who
has the time to devote to developing and manag-ing
the program, and who is willing to take on
the responsibility and accountability that goes
with operating an effective program. The success
of your program hinges on the success of the indi-vidual
you choose, and he or she cannot succeed
without your full cooperation and support.
Remember, though, that even when you appoint
someone as your safety manager and delegate the
authority to manage the program, the ultimate
responsibility for safety and health in your work-place
rests on you.
Having made your selection of a safety and
health manager, you or your designee and any
others you choose will need to take ( or be sure
you have already taken) the following actions.
Get Some Help on the Details
First, you may need to catch up with all the
changes made since the OSH Act became law in
December 1970. For example, the federal law con-tains
provisions for allowing a state to develop
and operate its own occupational safety and
health program in place of the federal program.
- 8-
3.
Starting Your Voluntary Activity
North Carolina has such an approved state plan
for occupational safety and health. The N. C.
Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational
Safety and Health is charged with administering
the state plan.
Second, you will need certain OSHA publica-tions
for use in your safety and health activities:
1. OSHA workplace poster ( commonly called
the “ Notice to Employees” poster)— You must
have the state OSHA poster displayed in
your workplace.
2. Standards that apply to your operations—
You need these standards for reference mate-rial
in your business. These are the regula-tions
OSH uses when inspecting for compli-ance
with the act. These standards are the
baseline for your own inspections and are
useful in determining what specific changes
need to be made when hazards are identi-fied.
Most businesses come under the North
Carolina Occupational Safety and Health
Standards for General Industry, but if you
are involved with construction or maritime
operations, you will need the standards that
apply to these classifications.
3. Recordkeeping requirements and the neces-sary
forms— You need these if you have 11 or
more employees. These forms are not too dif-ferent
from other information forms you
have been keeping for workers’ compensation
and other records.
4. Occupational Safety and Health Act of North
Carolina— You may want this for your own
information and reference in the future.
( See the inside back cover of this publication
for ordering information regarding these
publications.)
Clean Up Your Place of Business
Poor housekeeping is a major contributor to low
morale and sloppy work in general, even if it is
not usually the cause of major accidents. Most
safety action programs start with an intensive
cleanup campaign in all areas of a given business.
Get rid of rubbish that has collected; make sure
proper containers are provided; see that flamma-bles
are properly stored; make sure that exits are
not blocked; if necessary, mark aisles and pas-sageways;
provide adequate lighting, etc.
Get everyone involved and impress upon
them exactly what it is you want to do to make
your workplace safer, more healthful and more
efficient.
Start Gathering Specific Facts
About Your Situation
Before you make any changes in your safety
and health operations, you will want to gather as
much information as possible about the current
conditions at your workplace and about business
practices that are already part of your safety and
health program. This information can help you
identify workplace problems and see what is
involved in solving them.
The assessment of your workplace should be con-ducted
by the person responsible for the safety and
health program and/ or a professional safety and
health consultant. It consists of two major activities.
The first is a comprehensive safety and health
survey of your entire facility, designed to identify
any existing or potential safety and health haz-ards.
This initial survey should focus on evaluat-ing
workplace conditions with respect to safety
and health regulations and generally recognized
safe and healthful work practices. It should
include checking on the use of any hazardous
materials, observing employee work habits and
practices, and discussing safety and health prob-lems
with employees. See part 4, Self- Inspection
Checklists, to help you get a good start on creat-ing
this initial survey.
The second major activity is an assessment of
your existing safety and health program to iden-tify
areas that may be working well and those
that may need improvement. You will want to
gather as much information as you can that
relates to the safety and health management of
your workplace. You should include the following
in this review:
• Safety and Health Activities�� Examine
current ongoing activities as well as those
tried previously, company policy statements,
rules ( both work and safety), guidelines for
proper work practices, and procedures and
records of training programs.
• Equipment— Make a list of your major
equipment, principal operations and the
locations of each. Special attention should be
- 9-
given to inspection schedules, maintenance
activities, and plant and office layouts.
• Employees’ Capabilities— Make an alpha-betical
list of all employees, showing the date
they were hired, what their jobs are, and
what experience and training they have had.
Special attention should be given to new
employees and to employees with disabilities.
• Accident and Injury/ Illness History—
Take a look at your first aid cases, workers’
compensation insurance payments and work-ers’
compensation awards, if any. Review any
losses. Determine how your insurance rate
compares with others in your group. Special
attention should be given to recurring acci-dents,
types of injuries, etc.
With whatever facts you have been able to
assemble, take a quick look to see if any major
problem areas can be identified. You would be
looking for such things as interruptions in your
normal operations, too many employees taking
too much time off, too many damaged products
and so on. General assistance in this kind of prob-lem
identification can often be obtained from com-pensation
carriers, local safety councils, state
agencies, your major suppliers and even, perhaps,
a competitor.
If there is a major problem, see what can be
done to solve it. Once a problem is identified, you
can work on the corrective action or a plan for
controlling the problem. Take immediate action at
this point and make a record of what you have
done. Do not become overly involved in looking
for major problem areas during this fact- finding
stage. Remember that no one hazardous situation
causes all of your safety and health problems.
Therefore, it is likely that no single action will
greatly improve your safety and health program.
Even if you have found no major problem at
this point, continue on. Now it is time to develop
a comprehensive safety and health program that
meets your needs and those of your employees.
This will make it more difficult for major prob-lems
to crop up in the future.
Establish Your Four- Point Safety
and Health Program
The success of any workplace safety and health
program depends on careful planning. This means
that you have taken time to think through what
you want to accomplish, and you may even have a
general idea of what it will take to accomplish
your goals. Based on that, you can design a step-by-
step process that will take you from the idea
stage to having a fully effective operation.
The most effective way to create the safest
possible workplace for you and your employees is
to institute the four- point program discussed in
part 2 of this handbook. Use the guidance present-ed
in part 2 to help you develop your program.
Establish your management commitment and
involve your employees. No safety and health
program will work, especially in the long term,
without this commitment and involvement. You
should have already taken the first step by desig-nating
the person who will be responsible for your
program.
Be certain that your employees are as widely
involved in the program as possible from the
beginning. They are the people most in contact
with the potential and actual safety and health
hazards at your worksite. They will have con-structive
input into the development of your safe-ty
and health program. Its ultimate success will
depend upon their support— support that will be
more forthcoming for a program created with
their meaningful involvement.
Make sure your program assigns responsibility
and accountability to all employees in your organ-ization.
A good safety and health program makes
it clear that each employee from you through the
supervisory levels to the line worker is responsi-ble
for his or her part of the program. You will
make their safety and health duties clear, and
each of them will be held accountable for his or
her safety- and health- related duties.
Refer to the recommended actions to take on
page 4 in part 2. These will help start your program
off on the right track. You will be building the foun-dation
for a successful safety and health program.
Establish and regularly conduct your worksite
analysis. You cannot have a successful safety and
health program if it has not identified all the haz-ards
and potential hazards present in your work-place.
This is an ongoing process that includes
routine self- inspections if you are to know where
probable hazards exist and whether or not they
are under control.
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Create the systems and procedures necessary
to prevent and control the hazards that have been
identified through your worksite analysis. These
control procedures will be your basic means for
preventing accidents. The OSHA standards that
have been promulgated can be of great assistance
to you since they address controls in order of
effectiveness and preference. Where no standard
exists, creative problem solving and consultant
resources should help you create effective con-trols.
The basic formula OSHA follows is, in order
of preference:
1. Eliminating the hazard from the machine, the
method, the material or the plant structure.
2. Abating the hazard by limiting exposure or
controlling it at its source.
3. Training personnel to be aware of the hazard
and to follow safe work procedures to avoid it.
4. Prescribing personal protective equipment for
protecting employees against the hazard.
Be sure to establish and provide ongoing train-ing
for employees, supervisors and managers.
This should ensure that everyone at your work-site
will know about the hazards that exist and
how to control them.
Each of these points is crucial if you want to
establish a safe and healthy workplace for you
and your employees. They also work together to
reinforce each other, thereby making it more diffi-cult
for accidents to occur and for work- related
health problems to develop.
Develop and Implement
Your Action Plan
Develop an action plan to help you build your
safety and health program around the four points
discussed above. It can serve as a road map to get
your program from where it is now to where you
want it to be. It tells you what has to be done, the
logical order in which to do it, who is responsible,
and perhaps most important, where you want to
be when you finish. It is a specific description of
the problems and solutions, but it is not iron-clad—
it can and should be changed to correspond
with changes in the workplace.
A good action plan has two parts:
1. An overall list of the major changes or im-provements
that are needed to make your
safety and health program effective. Assign
each item a priority and a target date for
completion, and identify the person who will
monitor or direct each action.
2. A specific plan on how to implement each
major change or improvement. Here, you
would write out what you wanted to accom-plish,
the steps required, who would be
assigned to do what, and when you plan to
be finished. This part of the action plan will
help you keep track of program improve-ments
so that details do not slip through the
cracks. When several improvements are
being made at once, it is easy to overlook
something that may be an important pre-requisite
for your next action.
A worksheet that may help you design an over-all
action plan and describe specific action steps
appears at the end of this publication.
Once the plan has been established, you must
begin putting it into action. This begins with the
item that has been assigned the highest priority.
Check to make sure it is realistic and manageable,
then address the steps you have written out for that
item. This detailed description of the steps required
will help you keep track of the development that is
taking place. Keep in mind that you can, of course,
work on more than one item at a time and that the
priorities may change as other needs are identified
or as your company’s resources change.
Open communication with your employees is
crucial to the success of your efforts. Their cooper-ation
depends on understanding what the safety
and health program is all about, why it is impor-tant
to them, and how it affects their work. The
more you do to involve them in the changes you
are making, the smoother your transition will be.
By putting your action plan into operation at
your workplace, you will have taken a major step
toward having an effective safety and health pro-gram.
Remember, a safety and health pro-gram
is a plan put into practice. You can keep
your program on track by periodically checking
its progress and by calling on a state or private
consultant when you need assistance.
Any good management system requires a peri-odic
review to make sure the system is operating
as intended. Every so often ( quarterly, semiannu-ally,
or annually) you should take a careful look at
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each critical component in your safety and health
program to determine what is working well and
what changes are needed. Your consultant can
assist you in this area as well. When you identify
improvements that should be made, you have the
basis for new safety and health objectives for the
coming year. Developing new action plans for
those improvements will help you to continue to
progress toward an effective safety and health
program. That, in turn, will reduce your safety
and health risks and increase efficiency and profit.
Remember, however, that it is also important to
document your activities. The only way you can
evaluate the success of your safety and health
program is to have the documentation available
to tell you what you have done, to assess how it
has worked, and to provide you with guidance on
how you can make it work even better.
Technical assistance may be available to you as
a small business owner or manager through your
insurance carrier, your fellow business people,
suppliers of your durable equipment and raw
materials, the local safety council, and many
local, state and federal agencies, including the
Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s
Bureau of Consultative Services. You may even
find help in the yellow pages of your telephone
directory, which will give you the names of many
companies that specialize in items and services
relating to safety, health and fire prevention.
Establishing a quality safety and health pro-gram
at your place of business will take some
time and involve some resources. However, you
should be pleasantly surprised with the results.
You will have happier employees because they will
know you are committed to their safety and
health on the job. You will probably save money
through increased productivity and reduced work-ers’
compensation insurance costs. You will find
increased respect in your community. The rewards
you receive will surely exceed the cost of your
investment in safety and health protection.
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The most widely accepted way to identify haz-ards
is to conduct safety and health inspections.
The only way you can be certain of the actual sit-uation
is for you to look at it from time to time.
Make a Self- Inspection
of Your Business
Begin a program of self- inspection in your own
workplace. Self- inspection is a must if you are to
know where probable hazards exist and whether
they are under control.
Later in this part, you will find checklists
designed to assist you in this fact- finding. They
will give you some indication of where you should
begin action to make your business safer and
more healthful for all of your employees.
These checklists are by no means all-inclusive.
You may wish to add to them or delete
portions that do not apply to your business.
Consider carefully each item as you come to it
and then make your decision.
Don’t spend time with items that obvious-ly
have no application to your business.
Make sure each item is seen by you or your
designee, and leave nothing to memory or chance.
Write down what you see, or don’t see, and what
you think you should do about it.
When you have completed the checklists, add this
material to your injury information, your employee
information, and your process and equipment infor-mation.
You will now possess many facts that will
help you determine what problems exist. Then, if
you use the OSHA standards in your problem- solv-ing
process, it will be much easier for you to deter-mine
the action needed to solve these problems.
Once the hazards have been identified, you can
institute the control procedures described in part
3 and establish your four- point safety and health
program.
Technical assistance in self- inspection may be
available to you as a small business owner or man-ager
through your insurance carrier, the local safety
council, and many local, state and federal agencies,
including the Division of Occupational Safety and
Health’s Bureau of Consultative Services.
Self- Inspection Scope
The scope of your self- inspections should in-clude
the following:
• Processing, Receiving, Shipping and
Storage— equipment, job planning, layout,
heights, floor loads, projection of materials,
materials handling and storage methods.
• Building and Grounds Conditions—
floors, walls, ceilings, exits, stairs, walkways,
ramps, platforms, driveways and aisles.
• Housekeeping Program— waste disposal,
tools, objects, materials, leakage and spillage,
cleaning methods, schedules, work areas,
remote areas and storage areas.
• Electricity— equipment, switches, breakers,
fuses, switch boxes, junctions, special fix-tures,
circuits, insulation, extensions, tools,
motors, grounding and NEC compliance.
• Lighting— type, intensity, controls, conditions,
diffusion, location, and glare and shadow con-trol.
• Heating and Ventilation— type, effective-ness,
temperature, humidity, controls, natu-ral
and artificial ventilation, and exhausting.
• Machinery— points of operation, flywheels,
gears, shafts, pulleys, key ways, belts, cou-plings,
sprockets, chains, frames, controls,
lighting for tools and equipment, brakes,
exhausting, feeding, oiling, adjusting, mainte-nance,
lock out, grounding, work space, loca-tion,
and purchasing standards.
• Personnel— training, experience, methods of
checking machines before use, type of clothing,
personal protective equipment, use of guards,
tool storage, work practices, and method of
cleaning, oiling or adjusting machinery.
• Hand and Power Tools— purchasing stan-dards,
inspection, storage, repair, types,
maintenance, grounding, use and handling.
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4.
Self- Inspection
• Chemicals— storage, handling, transporta-tion,
spills, disposal, amounts used, toxicity
or other harmful effects, warning signs,
supervision, training, and protective clothing
and equipment.
• Fire Prevention— extinguishers, alarms,
sprinklers, smoking rules, exits, personnel
assigned, separation of flammable materials
and dangerous operations, explosive- proof fix-tures
in hazardous locations, and waste dis-posal.
• Maintenance�� regularity, effectiveness,
training of personnel, materials and equip-ment
used, records maintained, method of
locking out machinery, and general methods.
• Personal Protective Equipment— type,
size, maintenance, repair, storage, assign-ment
of responsibility, purchasing methods,
standards observed, training in care and use,
rules of use, and method of assignment.
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These checklists are by no means all- inclusive.
You should add to them or delete portions or items
that do not apply to your operations; however,
carefully consider each item as you come to it and
then make your decision. You also will need to
refer to OSHA standards for complete and specific
standards that may apply to your work situation.
Employer Posting
Is the required OSHA workplace poster dis-played
in a prominent location where all
employees are likely to see it?
Are emergency telephone numbers posted
where they can be readily found in case of
emergency?
Where employees may be exposed to any
toxic substances or harmful physical agents,
has appropriate information concerning
employee access to medical and exposure
records and material safety data sheets
( MSDS) been posted or otherwise made
readily available to affected employees?
Are signs concerning “ Exiting from build-ings,”
room capacities, floor loading, biohaz-ards,
exposures to X- ray, microwave, or other
harmful radiation or substances posted
where appropriate?
Is the summary of occupational injuries and
illnesses posted in the month of February?
Recordkeeping
Are all occupational injuries and illnesses,
except minor injuries requiring only first aid,
being recorded as required on the OSHA 300
log?
Are employee medical records and records
of employee exposure to hazardous sub-stances
or harmful physical agents up- to-date
and in compliance with current OSHA
standards?
Are employee training records kept and
accessible for review by employees, when
required by OSHA standards?
Have arrangements been made to maintain
required records for the legal period of time
for each specific type of record? ( Some records
must be maintained for at least 40 years.)
Are operating permits and records up- to- date
for such items as elevators, air pressure
tanks, liquefied petroleum gas tanks, etc.?
Safety and Health Program
Do you have an active safety and health pro-gram
in operation that deals with general
safety and health program elements as well
as the management of hazards specific to
your worksite?
Is one person clearly responsible for the over-all
activities of the safety and health pro-gram?
Do you have a safety committee or group
made up of management and employee rep-resentatives
that meets regularly and
reports in writing on its activities?
Do you have a working procedure for han-dling
in- house employee complaints regard-ing
safety and health?
Are you keeping your employees advised of
the successful effort and accomplishments
you and/ or your safety committee have made
in ensuring they will have a workplace that
is safe and healthful?
Medical Services and First Aid
Is there a hospital, clinic or infirmary for
medical care in proximity of your workplace?
If medical and first aid facilities are not in
proximity of your workplace, is at least one
employee on each shift currently qualified to
render first aid?
Have all employees who are expected to
respond to medical emergencies as part of
their work*
( 1) received first aid training; ( 2) had hepati-tis
B vaccination made available to them; ( 3)
had appropriate training on procedures to
protect them from bloodborne pathogens,
including universal precautions; and ( 4) have
available and understand how to use appro-priate
personal protective equipment to pro-tect
against exposure to bloodborne diseases?
* In North Carolina, seasonal or temporary workers
who are employed for six months or less who render
first aid only as a collateral duty do not have to be
- 15-
Self- Inspection Checklists
Where employees have had an exposure inci-dent
involving bloodborne pathogens, did you
provide an immediate post- exposure medical
evaluation and follow- up?
Are medical personnel readily available for
advice and consultation on matters of
employees’ health?
Are emergency phone numbers posted?
Are first aid kits easily accessible to each
work area, with necessary supplies available,
periodically inspected and replenished as
needed?
Have first aid kit supplies been approved by
a physician, indicating that they are ade-quate
for a particular area or operation?
Are means provided for quick drenching
or flushing of the eyes and body in areas
where corrosive liquids or materials are
handled?
Fire Protection
Is your local fire department well acquainted
with your facilities, its location and specific
hazards?
If you have a fire alarm system, is it certified
as required?
If you have a fire alarm system, is it tested
at least annually?
If you have interior stand pipes and valves,
are they inspected regularly?
If you have outside private fire hydrants,
are they flushed at least once a year and
on a routine preventive maintenance
schedule?
offered pre- exposure hepatitis B vaccine if the employer
puts the following requirements into his/ her exposure
control plan and implements them: ( 1) the employer
must record all first aid incidents involving the pres-ence
of blood or other potentially infectious materials
before the end of the work shift during which the first
aid incident occurred; ( 2) the employer must comply
with post- exposure evaluation, prophylaxis and follow-up
requirements of the standard with respect to “ expo-sure
incidents,” as defined by the standard; ( 3) the
employer must train designated first aid providers
about the reporting procedure; ( 4) the employer must
offer to initiate hepatitis B vaccination series within 24
hours to all unvaccinated first aid providers who have
rendered assistance in any situation involving the pres-ence
of blood or other potentially infectious materials.
Are fire doors and shutters in good operating
condition?
Are fire doors and shutters unobstructed and
protected against obstructions, including
their counterweights?
Are fire door and shutter fusible links in
place?
Are automatic sprinkler system water control
valves, air and water pressure checked weekly/
periodically as required?
Is the maintenance of automatic sprinkler
systems assigned to responsible people or to
a sprinkler contractor?
Are sprinkler heads protected by metal
guards, when exposed to physical damage?
Is proper clearance maintained below sprin-kler
heads?
Are portable fire extinguishers provided in
adequate number and type?
Are fire extinguishers mounted in readily
accessible locations?
Are fire extinguishers recharged regularly
and noted on the inspection tag?
Are employees periodically instructed in the
use of extinguishers and fire protection pro-cedures?
Personal Protective Equipment
and Clothing
: Personal Protection Equipment 1910.132( b)
[ Note: 1910.132( b) Personal Protective Equipment
standard is amended to define the employer’s
responsibilities relating to the provision, adequa-cy
and maintenance of employee personal protec-tive
equipment. See 13 NCAC 07F. 101( 2) General
Industry, State- Specific Standards.]
( b) Equipment. ( 1) Employer- provided equip-ment.
It is the responsibility of the employer to
provide, at no cost to the employee, all personal
protective equipment which the employee does
not wear off the jobsite for use off the job. ( 2)
Employee- owned equipment. Where employees
provide their own protective equipment, the
employer shall be responsible to assure its ade-quacy,
including proper maintenance, and sanita-tion
of such equipment.
- 16-
Are protective goggles or face shields provided
and worn where there is any danger of flying
particles or corrosive materials?
Are approved safety glasses required to be
worn at all times in areas where there is a
risk of eye injuries such as punctures, abra-sions,
contusions or burns?
Are employees who need corrective lenses
( glasses or contacts) in working environ-ments
having harmful exposures required to
wear only approved safety glasses or protec-tive
goggles or use other medically approved
precautionary procedures?
Are protective gloves, aprons, shields or other
means provided and required where employ-ees
could be cut or where there is reasonably
anticipated exposure to corrosive liquids,
chemicals, blood or other potentially infec-tious
materials? ( See 29 CFR 1910.1030( b) for
the definition of “ other potentially infectious
materials.”)
Are hard hats provided and worn where
danger of falling objects exists?
Are hard hats inspected periodically for
damage to the shell and suspension system?
Is appropriate foot protection required where
there is the risk of foot injuries from hot,
corrosive, poisonous substances, falling
objects, crushing or penetrating actions?
Are approved respirators provided for regu-lar
or emergency use where needed?
Is all protective equipment maintained in a
sanitary condition and ready for use?
Do you have eye wash facilities and a quick
drench shower within the work area where
employees are exposed to injurious corrosive
materials?
Where special equipment is needed for elec-trical
workers, is it available?
Where food or beverages are consumed on the
premises, are they consumed in areas where
there is no exposure to toxic material, blood
or other potentially infectious materials?
Is protection against the effects of occupa-tional
noise exposure provided when sound
levels exceed those of the OSHA noise
standard?
Are adequate work procedures, protective
clothing, and equipment provided and used
when cleaning up spilled toxic or otherwise
hazardous materials and liquids?
Are there appropriate procedures in place for
disposing of or decontaminating personal pro-tective
equipment contaminated with, or rea-sonably
anticipated to be contaminated with,
blood or other potentially infectious materials?
General Work Environment
Are all worksites clean, sanitar, and orderly?
Are work surfaces kept dry or appropriate
means taken to ensure the surfaces are slip-resistant?
Are all spilled hazardous materials or liq-uids,
including blood and other potentially
infectious materials, cleaned up immediately
and according to proper procedures?
Are combustible scrap, debris and waste
stored safely and removed from the worksite
promptly?
Is all regulated waste, as defined in the
OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard ( 29
CFR 1910.1030), discarded according to
federal, state and local regulations?
Are accumulations of combustible dust
routinely removed from elevated surfaces
including the overhead structure of build-ings,
etc.?
Is combustible dust cleaned up with a vacu-um
system to prevent the dust going into sus-pension?
Is metallic or conductive dust prevented from
entering or accumulating on or around elec-trical
enclosures or equipment?
Are covered metal waste cans used for oily
and paint- soaked waste?
Are all oil and gas fired devices equipped with
flame failure controls that will prevent flow of
fuel if pilots or main burners are not working?
Are paint spray booths, dip tanks, etc.,
cleaned regularly?
Are the minimum number of toilets and
washing facilities provided?
Are all toilets and washing facilities clean
and sanitary?
- 17-
Are all work areas adequately illuminated?
Are pits and floor openings covered or other-wise
guarded?
Walkways
Are aisles and passageways kept clear?
Are aisles and walkways marked as appropriate?
Are wet surfaces covered with nonslip
materials?
Are holes in the floor, sidewalk or other
walking surfaces repaired properly, covered
or otherwise made safe?
Is there safe clearance for walking in aisles
where motorized or mechanical handling
equipment is operating?
Are materials or equipment stored in such a
way that sharp projectives will not interfere
with the walkway?
Are spilled materials cleaned up immediately?
Are changes of direction or elevation readily
identifiable?
Are aisles or walkways that pass near moving
or operating machinery, welding operations,
or similar operations arranged so employees
will not be subjected to potential hazards?
Is adequate headroom provided for the entire
length of any aisle or walkway?
Are standard guardrails provided wherever
aisle or walkway surfaces are elevated more
than 30 inches above any adjacent floor or
the ground?
Are bridges provided over conveyors and
similar hazards?
Floor and Wall Openings
Are floor openings guarded by a cover,
guardrail or equivalent on all sides ( except at
entrance to stairways or ladders)?
Are toeboards installed around the edges of
permanent floor openings ( where people may
pass below the opening)?
Are skylight screens of such construction and
mounting that they will withstand a load of
at least 200 pounds?
Is the glass in the windows, doors, glass
walls, etc., which are subject to human
impact, of sufficient thickness and type for
the condition of use?
Are grates or similar type covers over floor
openings such as floor drains of such design
that foot traffic or rolling equipment will not
be affected by the grate spacing?
Are unused portions of service pits and pits
not actually in use either covered or protect-ed
by guardrails or equivalent?
Are manhole covers, trench covers and simi-lar
covers, plus their supports, designed to
carry a truck rear axle load of at least 20,000
pounds when located in roadways and sub-ject
to vehicle traffic?
Are floor or wall openings in fire- resistive
construction provided with doors or covers
compatible with the fire rating of the struc-ture
and provided with a self- closing feature
when appropriate?
Stairs and Stairways
Are standard stair rails or handrails on all
stairways having four or more risers?
Are all stairways at least 22 inches wide?
Do stairs have landing platforms not less
than 30 inches in the direction of travel and
extend 22 inches in width at every 12 feet or
less of vertical rise?
Do stairs angle no more than 50 and no less
than 30 degrees?
Are stairs of hollow- pan type treads and
landings filled to the top edge of the pan with
solid material?
Are step risers on stairs uniform from top to
bottom?
Are steps on stairs and stairways designed
or provided with a surface that renders them
slip resistant?
Are stairway handrails located between 30
and 34 inches above the leading edge of stair
treads?
Do stairway handrails have at least 3 inches
of clearance between the handrails and the
wall or surface they are mounted on?
Where doors or gates open directly on a
stairway, is there a platform provided so the
swing of the door does not reduce the width
of the platform to less than 21 inches?
- 18-
Are stairway handrails capable of withstand-ing
a load of 200 pounds, applied within 2
inches of the top edge, in any downward or
outward direction?
Where stairs or stairways exit directly into any
area where vehicles may be operated, are ade-quate
barriers and warnings provided to pre-vent
employees stepping into the path of traffic?
Do stairway landings have a dimension
measured in the direction of travel at least
equal to the width of the stairway?
Is the vertical distance between stairway
landings limited to 12 feet or less?
Elevated Surfaces
Are signs posted, when appropriate, showing
the elevated surface load capacity?
Are surfaces elevated more than 30 inches
above the floor or ground provided with
standard guardrails?
Are all elevated surfaces ( beneath which
people or machinery could be exposed to
falling objects) provided with standard
4- inch toeboards?
Is a permanent means of access and egress
provided to elevated storage and work
surfaces?
Is required headroom provided where necessary?
Is material on elevated surfaces piled, stacked
or racked in a manner to prevent it from tip-ping,
falling, collapsing, rolling or spreading?
Are dock boards or bridge plates used when
transferring materials between docks and
trucks or rail cars?
Exiting or Egress
Are all exits marked with an exit sign and
illuminated by a reliable light source?
Are the directions to exits, when not immedi-ately
apparent, marked with visible signs?
Are doors, passageways or stairways that are
neither exits nor access to exits and which
could be mistaken for exits appropriately
marked “ NOT AN EXIT,” “ TO BASEMENT,”
“ STOREROOM,” etc.?
Are exit signs provided with the word “ EXIT”
in lettering at least 5 inches high and the
stroke of the lettering at least 1/ 2- inch wide?
Are exit doors side- hinged?
Are all exits kept free of obstructions?
Are at least two means of egress provided from
elevated platforms, pits or rooms where the
absence of a second exit would increase the risk
of injury from hot, poisonous, corrosive, suffo-cating,
flammable or explosive substances?
Are there sufficient exits to permit prompt
escape in case of emergency?
Are special precautions taken to protect
employees during construction and repair
operations?
Is the number of exits from each floor of a
building, and the number of exits from the
building itself, appropriate for the building
occupancy load?
Are exit stairways that are required to be
separated from other parts of a building
enclosed by at least two- hour fire- resistive
construction in buildings more than four sto-ries
in height, and not less than one- hour
fire- resistive construction elsewhere?
Where ramps are used as part of required
exiting from a building, is the ramp slope lim-ited
to 1 foot vertical and 12 feet horizontal?
Where exiting will be through frameless glass
doors, glass exit doors, storm doors, etc., are
the doors fully tempered and do they meet
the safety requirements for human impact?
Exit Doors
Are doors that are required to serve as exits
designed and constructed so that the way of
exit travel is obvious and direct?
Are windows that could be mistaken for exit
doors made inaccessible by means of barriers
or railings?
Are exit doors openable from the direction of
exit travel without the use of a key or any
special knowledge or effort when the build-ing
is occupied?
Is a revolving, sliding or overhead door pro-hibited
from serving as a required exit door?
Where panic hardware is installed on a
required exit door, will it allow the door to
open by applying a force of 15 pounds or less
in the direction of the exit traffic?
- 19-
Are doors on cold storage rooms provided
with an inside release mechanism that will
release the latch and open the door even if
it’s padlocked or otherwise locked on the
outside?
Where exit doors open directly onto any
street, alley or other area where vehicles
may be operated, are adequate barriers and
warnings provided to prevent employees
stepping into the path of traffic?
Are doors that swing in both directions and
are located between rooms where there is
frequent traffic provided with viewing panels
in each door?
Portable Ladders
Are all ladders maintained in good condition,
joints between steps and side rails tight, all
hardware and fittings securely attached,
and moveable parts operating freely without
binding or undue play?
Are nonslip safety feet provided on each
ladder?
Are nonslip safety feet provided on each
metal or rung ladder?
Are ladder rungs and steps free of grease
and oil?
Is it prohibited to place a ladder in front of
doors opening toward the ladder except when
the door is blocked open, locked or guarded?
Is it prohibited to place ladders on boxes,
barrels or other unstable bases to obtain
additional height?
Are employees instructed to face the ladder
when ascending or descending?
Are employees prohibited from using ladders
that are broken, missing steps, rungs, or
cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty
equipment?
Are employees instructed not to use the top
step of ordinary stepladders as a step?
When portable rung ladders are used to gain
access to elevated platforms, roofs, etc., does
the ladder always extend at least 3 feet
above the elevated surface?
Is it required that when portable rung or
cleat type ladders are used, the base is so
placed that slipping will not occur, or it is
lashed or otherwise held in place?
Are portable metal ladders marked with
signs reading “ CAUTION— Do Not Use
Around Electrical Equipment” or equivalent
wording?
Are employees prohibited from using ladders
as guys, braces, skids, gin poles, or for other
than their intended purposes?
Are employees instructed to only adjust
extension ladders while standing at a base
( not while standing on the ladder or from a
position above the ladder)?
Are metal ladders inspected for damage?
Are the rungs of ladders uniformly spaced at
12 inches, center to center?
Hand Tools and Equipment
Are all tools and equipment ( both company-and
employee- owned) used by employees at
their workplace in good condition?
Are hand tools such as chisels, punches, etc.,
that develop mushroomed heads during use,
reconditioned or replaced as necessary?
Are broken or fractured handles on hammers,
axes and similar equipment replaced promptly?
Are worn or bent wrenches replaced regularly?
Are appropriate handles used on files and
similar tools?
Are employees made aware of the hazards
caused by faulty or improperly used hand
tools?
Are appropriate safety glasses, face shields,
etc., used while using hand tools or other
equipment that might produce flying materi-als
or be subject to breakage?
Are jacks checked periodically to ensure they
are in good operating condition?
Are tool handles wedged tightly in the head
of all tools?
Are tool cutting edges kept sharp so the
tool will move smoothly without binding or
skipping?
Are tools stored in a dry, secure location
where they won’t be tampered with?
- 20-
Is eye and face protection used when driving
hardened or tempered studs or nails?
Portable ( Power- Operated) Tools
and Equipment
Are grinders, saws and similar equipment
provided with appropriate safety guards?
Are power tools used with the correct shield,
guard or attachment, recommended by the
manufacturer?
Are portable circular saws equipped with
guards above and below the base shoe?
Are circular saw guards checked to ensure
they are not wedged up, thus leaving the
lower portion of the blade unguarded?
Are rotating or moving parts of equipment
guarded to prevent physical contact?
Are all cord- connected, electrically operated
tools and equipment effectively grounded or
of the approved double- insulated type?
Are effective guards in place over belts, pul-leys,
chains, and sprockets on equipment such
as concrete mixers, air compressors, etc.?
Are portable fans provided with full guards
or screens having openings 1/ 2 inch or less?
Is hoisting equipment available and used for
lifting heavy objects, and are hoist ratings
and characteristics appropriate for the task?
Are ground- fault circuit interrupters pro-vided
on all temporary electrical 15 and 20
ampere circuits used during periods of
construction?
Are pneumatic and hydraulic hoses on
power- operated tools checked regularly for
deterioration or damage?
Abrasive Wheel Equipment— Grinders
Is the work rest used and kept adjusted to
within 1/ 8 inch of the wheel?
Is the adjustable tongue on the top side of
the grinder used and kept adjusted to within
1/ 4 inch of the wheel?
Do side guards cover the spindle, nut, flange
and 75 percent of the wheel diameter?
Are bench and pedestal grinders permanent-ly
mounted?
Are goggles or face shields always worn
when grinding?
Is the maximum RPM rating of each abra-sive
wheel compatible with the RPM rating
of the grinder motor?
Are fixed or permanently mounted grinders
connected to their electrical supply system
with metallic conduit or other permanent
wiring method?
Does each grinder have an individual on and
off control switch?
Is each electrically operated grinder effec-tively
grounded?
Before new abrasive wheels are mounted, are
they visually inspected and ring tested?
Are dust collectors and powered exhausts
provided on grinders used in operations that
produce large amounts of dust?
Are splash guards mounted on grinders that
use coolant to prevent the coolant from
reaching employees?
Is cleanliness maintained around grinders?
Powder- Actuated Tools
Are employees who operate powder- actuated
tools trained in their use and do they carry a
valid operator’s card?
Is each powder- actuated tool stored in its
own locked container when not being used?
Is a sign at least 7 inches by 10 inches
with bold face type reading “ POWDER-ACTUATED
TOOL IN USE” conspicuously
posted when the tool is being used?
Are powder- actuated tools left unloaded until
they are actually ready to be used?
Are powder- actuated tools inspected for
obstructions or defects each day before use?
Do powder- actuated tool operators have
and use appropriate personal protective
equipment such as hard hats, safety goggles,
safety shoes and ear protectors?
Machine Guarding
Is there a training program to instruct
employees on safe methods of machine
operation?
- 21-
Is there adequate supervision to ensure that
employees are following safe machine operat-ing
procedures?
Is there a regular program of safety inspec-tion
of machinery and equipment?
Is all machinery and equipment kept clean
and properly maintained?
Is sufficient clearance provided around and
between machines to allow for safe operations,
set up and servicing, material handling, and
waste removal?
Are equipment and machinery securely
placed and anchored when necessary to pre-vent
tipping or other movement that could
result in personal injury?
Is there a power shut- off switch within reach
of the operator’s position at each machine?
Can electric power to each machine be locked
out for maintenance, repair or security?
Are the noncurrent- carrying metal parts of
electrically operated machines bonded and
grounded?
Are foot- operated switches guarded or
arranged to prevent accidental actuation by
personnel or falling objects?
Are manually operated valves and switches
controlling the operation of equipment and
machines clearly identified and readily
accessible?
Are all emergency stop buttons colored red?
Are all pulleys and belts that are within
7 feet of the floor or working level properly
guarded?
Are all moving chains and gears properly
guarded?
Are splash guards mounted on machines that
use coolant to prevent the coolant from
reaching employees?
Are methods provided to protect the operator
and other employees in the machine area
from hazards created at the point of opera-tion,
ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying
chips and sparks?
Are machinery guards secure and so
arranged that they do not offer a hazard in
their use?
If special hand tools are used for placing
and removing material, do they protect the
operator’s hands?
Are revolving drums, barrels and containers
required to be guarded by an enclosure that
is interlocked with the drive mechanism, so
that revolution cannot occur unless the
guard enclosure is in place?
Do arbors and mandrels have firm and
secure bearings and are they free from play?
Are provisions made to prevent machines
from automatically starting when power is
restored after a power failure or shutdown?
Are machines constructed so as to be free
from excessive vibration when the largest
size tool is mounted and run at full speed?
If machinery is cleaned with compressed air,
is air pressure controlled and personal protec-tive
equipment or other safeguards utilized to
protect operators and other workers from eye
and body injury?
Are fan blades protected with a guard having
openings no larger than 1/ 2 inch when operat-ing
with 7 feet of the floor?
Are saws used for ripping equipped with
anti- kick back devices and spreaders?
Are radial arm saws so arranged that the
cutting head will gently return to the back of
the table when released?
Lockout/ Blockout Procedures
Is all machinery or equipment capable of
movement required to be de- energized or dis-engaged
and blocked or locked out during
cleaning, servicing, adjusting or setting up
operations, whenever required?
Where the power disconnecting means for
equipment does not also disconnect the elec-trical
control circuit:
Are the appropriate electrical enclosures
identified?
Is means provided to ensure the control cir-cuit
can also be disconnected and locked out?
Is the locking out of control circuits in lieu of
locking out main power disconnects prohibited?
- 22-
Are all equipment control valve handles pro-vided
with a means for locking out?
Does the lockout procedure require that
stored energy ( mechanical, hydraulic, air,
etc.) be released or blocked before equipment
is locked out for repairs?
Are appropriate employees provided with
individually keyed personal safety locks?
Are employees required to keep personal con-trol
of their key( s) while they have safety
locks in use?
Is it required that only the employee exposed
to the hazard place or remove the safety lock?
Is it required that employees check the safe-ty
of the lockout by attempting to start up
after making sure no one is exposed?
Are employees instructed to always push the
control circuit stop button prior to re- energiz-ing
the main power switch?
Is there a means provided to identify any or all
employees who are working on locked- out equip-ment
by their locks or accompanying tags?
Are a sufficient number of accident preven-tive
signs or tags and safety padlocks provid-ed
for any reasonably foreseeable repair
emergency?
When machine operations, configuration or
size requires the operator to leave his or her
control station to install tools or perform
other operations and that part of the machine
could move if accidentally activated, is such
element required to be separately locked or
blocked out?
In the event that equipment or lines cannot
be shut down, locked out and tagged, is a
safe job procedure established and rigidly
followed?
Welding, Cutting and Brazing
Are only authorized and trained personnel
permitted to use welding, cutting or brazing
equipment?
Do all operators have copies of the appropri-ate
operating instructions and are they
directed to follow them?
Are compressed gas cylinders regularly
examined for obvious signs of defects, deep
rusting or leakage?
Is care used in handling and storage of
cylinders, safety valves, relief valves, etc.,
to prevent damage?
Are precautions taken to prevent the mixture
of air or oxygen with flammable gases, except
at a burner or in a standard torch?
Are only approved apparatus ( torches, regu-lators,
pressure- reducing valves, acetylene
generators, manifolds) used?
Are cylinders kept away from sources of
heat?
Are the cylinders kept away from elevators,
stairs or gangways?
Is it prohibited to use cylinders as rollers or
supports?
Are empty cylinders appropriately marked
and their valves closed?
Are signs reading “ DANGER— NO SMOKING,
MATCHES OR OPEN LIGHTS,” or the equiv-alent,
posted?
Are cylinders, cylinder valves, couplings, reg-ulators,
hoses and apparatus kept free of oily
or greasy substances?
Is care taken not to drop or strike cylinders?
Unless secured on special trucks, are regula-tors
removed and valve protection caps put
in place before moving cylinders?
Do cylinders without fixed wheels have keys,
handles or nonadjustable wrenches on stem
valves when in service?
Are liquefied gases stored and shipped valve
end up with valve covers in place?
Are provisions made to never crack a fuel gas
cylinder valve near sources of ignition?
Before a regulator is removed, is the valve
closed and gas released from the regulator?
Is red used to identify the acetylene ( and
other fuel gas) hose, green for oxygen hose,
and black for inert gas and air hose?
Are pressure- reducing regulators used only
for the gas and pressures for which they are
intended?
Is open circuit ( no- load) voltage of arc weld-ing
and cutting machines as low as possible
and not in excess of the recommended limits?
- 23-
Under wet conditions, are automatic controls
for reducing no- load voltage used?
Is grounding of the machine frame and safe-ty
ground connections of portable machines
checked periodically?
Are electrodes removed from the holders
when not in use?
Is it required that electric power to the welder
be shut off when no one is in attendance?
Is suitable fire extinguishing equipment
available for immediate use?
Is the welder forbidden to coil or loop weld-ing
electrode cable around his or her body?
Are wet machines thoroughly dried and tested
before being used?
Are work and electrode lead cables frequent-ly
inspected for wear and damage and
replaced when needed?
Do means for connecting cable lengths have
adequate insulation?
When the object to be welded cannot be
moved and fire hazards cannot be removed,
are shields used to confine heat, sparks, and
slag?
Are fire watchers assigned when welding or
cutting is performed in locations where a
serious fire might develop?
Are combustible floors kept wet, covered by
damp sand or protected by fire- resistant
shields?
When floors are wet down, are personnel pro-tected
from possible electrical shock?
When welding is done on metal walls, are
precautions taken to protect combustibles on
the other side?
Before hot work is begun, are used drums,
barrels, tanks and other containers so thor-oughly
cleaned that no substances remain
that could explode, ignite or produce toxic
vapors?
Is it required that eye protection helmets,
hand shields and goggles meet appropriate
standards?
Are employees exposed to the hazards creat-ed
by welding, cutting or brazing operations
protected with personal protective equipment
and clothing?
Is a check made for adequate ventilation
where welding or cutting is performed?
When working in confined places, are envi-ronmental
monitoring tests taken and means
provided for quick removal of welders in case
of an emergency?
Compressors and Compressed Air
Are compressors equipped with pressure
relief valves and pressure gauges?
Are compressor air intakes installed and
equipped so as to ensure that only clean
uncontaminated air enters the compressor?
Are air filters installed on the compressor
intake?
Are compressors operated and lubricated in
accordance with the manufacturer’s recom-mendations?
Are safety devices on compressed air systems
checked frequently?
Before any repair work is done on the pres-sure
system of a compressor, is the pressure
bled off and the system locked- out?
Are signs posted to warn of the automatic
starting feature of the compressors?
Is the belt drive system totally enclosed to
provide protection for the front, back, top,
and sides?
Is it strictly prohibited to direct compressed
air towards a person?
Are employees prohibited from using highly
compressed air for cleaning purposes?
If compressed air is used for cleaning off cloth-ing,
is the pressure reduced to less than 30 psi?
When using compressed air for cleaning, do
employees wear protective chip guarding and
personal protective equipment?
Are safety chains or other suitable locking
devices used at couplings of high pressure
hose lines where a connection failure would
create a hazard?
Before compressed air is used to empty con-tainers
of liquid, is the safe working pressure
of the container checked?
- 24-
When compressed air is used with abrasive
blast cleaning equipment, is the operating
valve a type that must be held open
manually?
When compressed air is used to inflate auto
tires, is a clip- on chuck and an inline regula-tor
preset to 40 psi required?
Is it prohibited to use compressed air to clean
up or move combustible dust if such action
could cause the dust to be suspended in the
air and cause a fire or explosion hazard?
Compressed Air Receivers
Is every receiver equipped with a pressure
gauge and with one or more automatic
spring- loaded safety valves?
Is the total relieving capacity of the safety
valve capable of preventing pressure in the
receiver from exceeding the maximum allow-able
working pressure of the receiver by
more than 10 percent?
Is every air receiver provided with a drain
pipe and valve at the lowest point for the
removal of accumulated oil and water?
Are compressed air receivers periodically
drained of moisture and oil?
Are all safety valves tested frequently and at
regular intervals to determine whether they
are in good operating condition?
Is the inlet of air receivers and piping sys-tems
kept free of accumulated oil and car-bonaceous
materials?
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Are cylinders with a water weight capacity
over 30 pounds equipped with means for con-necting
a valve protector device or with a col-lar
or recess to protect the valve?
Are cylinders legibly marked to clearly iden-tify
the gas contained?
Are compressed gas cylinders stored in areas
that are protected from external heat sources
such as flame impingement, intense radiant
heat, electric arcs or high temperature lines?
Are cylinders located or stored in areas
where they will not be damaged by passing
or falling objects or subjected to tampering
by unauthorized people?
Are cylinders stored or transported in a man-ner
to prevent them from creating a hazard
by tipping, falling or rolling?
Are cylinders containing liquefied fuel gas
stored or transported in a position so that
the safety relief device is always in direct
contact with the vapor space in the cylinder?
Are valve protectors always placed on cylin-ders
when the cylinders are not in use or
connected for use?
Are all valves closed off before a cylinder is
moved, when the cylinder is empty, and at
the completion of each job?
Are low pressure fuel gas cylinders checked
periodically for corrosion, general distortion,
cracks or any other defect that might indi-cate
a weakness or render it unfit for serv-ice?
Does the periodic check of low pressure fuel
gas cylinders include a close inspection of the
cylinders’ bottoms?
Hoist and Auxiliary Equipment
Is each overhead electric hoist equipped
with a limit device to stop the hook travel
at its highest and lowest point of safe
travel?
Will each hoist automatically stop and hold
any load up to 125 percent of its rated load if
its actuating force is removed?
Is the rated load of each hoist legibly marked
and visible to the operator?
Are stops provided at the safe limits of travel
for trolley hoists?
Are the controls of hoists plainly marked to
indicate the direction of travel or motion?
Is each cage- controlled hoist equipped with
an effective warning device?
Are close- fitting guards or other suitable
devices installed on hoists to ensure hoist
ropes will be maintained in the sheave
grooves?
Are all hoist chains or ropes of sufficient
length to handle the full range of movement
of the application while still maintaining two
full wraps on the drum at all times?
- 25-
Are nip points or contact points between
hoist ropes and sheaves that are permanent-ly
located within 7 feet of the floor, ground or
working platform guarded?
Is it prohibited to use chains or rope slings
that are kinked or twisted?
Is it prohibited to use the hoist rope or chain
wrapped around the load as a substitute for
a sling?
Is the operator instructed to avoid carrying
loads over people?
Are only employees who have been trained in
the proper use of hoists allowed to operate
them?
Industrial Trucks— Forklifts
Are only drivers authorized by the employer
and trained in the safe operations of indus-trial
trucks permitted to operate such vehi-cles?
Methods must be devised to train oper-ators
in safe operation of powered industrial
trucks.
Does employer ensure that each powered
industrial truck operator is competent to
operate a powered industrial truck safely, as
demonstrated by the successful completion of
required training and evaluation in accor-dance
with 1910.178( l)— Operator Training?
Is substantial overhead protective equipment
provided on high lift rider equipment?
Are the required lift truck operating rules
posted and enforced?
Is directional lighting provided on each
industrial truck that operates in an area
with less than 2 footcandles per square foot
of general lighting?
Does each industrial truck have a warning
horn, whistle, gong or other device that can
be clearly heard above the normal noise in
the areas where operated?
Are the brakes on each industrial truck capa-ble
of bringing the vehicle to a complete and
safe stop when fully loaded?
Will the industrial truck’s parking brake
effectively prevent the vehicle from moving
when unattended?
Are industrial trucks operating in areas
where flammable gases or vapors or com-bustible
dust or ignitable fibers may be pres-ent
in the atmosphere approved for such
locations?
Are motorized hand and hand/ rider trucks so
designed that the brakes are applied and
power to the drive motor shuts off when the
operator releases his or her grip on the
device that controls the travel?
Are industrial trucks with internal combus-tion
engines, operated in buildings or
enclosed areas, carefully checked to ensure
such operations do not cause harmful concen-trations
of dangerous gases or fumes?
Spraying Operations
Is adequate ventilation ensured before spray
operations are started?
Is mechanical ventilation provided when spray-ing
operations are done in enclosed areas?
When mechanical ventilation is provided dur-ing
spraying operations, is it so arranged that
it will not circulate the contaminated air?
Is the spray area free of hot surfaces?
Is the spray area at least 20 feet from
flames, sparks, operating electrical motors
and other ignition sources?
Are portable lamps used to illuminate spray
areas suitable for use in a hazardous location?
Is approved respiratory equipment provided
and used when appropriate during spraying
operations?
Do solvents used for cleaning have a flash
point to 100 F or more?
Are fire control sprinkler heads kept clean?
Are “ NO SMOKING” signs posted in spray
areas, paint rooms, paint booths and paint
storage areas?
Is the spray area kept clean of combustible
residue?
Are spray booths constructed of metal, masonry
or other substantial noncombustible material?
Are spray booth floors and baffles noncom-bustible
and easily cleaned?
- 26-
Is infrared drying apparatus kept out of the
spray area during spraying operations?
Is the spay booth completely ventilated
before using the drying apparatus?
Is the electric drying apparatus properly
grounded?
Are lighting fixtures for spray booths located
outside of the booth and the interior lighted
through sealed clear panels?
Are the electric motors for exhaust fans
placed outside booths or ducts?
Are belts and pulleys inside the booth fully
enclosed?
Do ducts have access doors to allow cleaning?
Do all drying spaces have adequate ventilation?
Entering Confined Spaces
Are confined spaces thoroughly emptied of
any corrosive or hazardous substances, such
as acids or caustics, before entry?
Are all lines to a confined space containing
inert, toxic, flammable or corrosive materials
valved off and blanked or disconnected and
separated before entry?
Is it required that all impellers, agitators or
other moving equipment inside confined
spaces be locked out if they present a hazard?
Is either natural or mechanical ventilation
provided prior to confined space entry?
Are appropriate atmospheric tests performed
to check for oxygen deficiency, toxic sub-stances
and explosive concentrations in the
confined space before entry?
Is adequate illumination provided for the
work to be performed in the confined space?
Is the atmosphere inside the confined space
frequently tested or continuously monitored
during conduct of work?
Is there an assigned safety standby employee
outside of the confined space, when required,
whose sole responsibility is to watch the
work in progress, sound an alarm if neces-sary
and render assistance?
Is the standby employee appropriately trained
and equipped to handle an emergency?
Is the standby employee or other employees
prohibited from entering the confined space
without lifelines and respiratory equipment
if there is any question as to the cause of an
emergency?
Is approved respiratory equipment required
if the atmosphere inside the confined space
cannot be made acceptable?
Is all portable electrical equipment used
inside confined spaces either grounded and
insulated or equipped with ground fault
protection?
Before gas welding or burning is started in a
confined space, are hoses checked for leaks,
compressed gas bottles forbidden inside of
the confined space, torches lighted only out-side
of the confined area, and the confined
area tested for an explosive atmosphere each
time before a lighted torch is to be taken into
the confined space?
If employees will be using oxygen- consuming
equipment such as salamanders, torches, fur-naces,
etc., in a confined space, is sufficient
air provided to ensure combustion without
reducing the oxygen concentration of the
atmosphere below 19.5 percent by volume?
Whenever combustion- type equipment is
used in a confined space, are provisions made
to ensure the exhaust gases are vented out-side
of the enclosure?
Is each confined space checked for decaying
vegetation or animal matter that may pro-duce
methane?
Is the confined space checked for possible
industrial waste that could contain toxic
properties?
If the confined space is below the ground and
near areas where motor vehicles are operat-ing,
is it possible for vehicle exhaust or car-bon
monoxide to enter the space?
Environmental Controls
Are all work areas properly illuminated?
Are employees instructed in proper first aid
and other emergency procedures?
Are hazardous substances, blood and other
potentially infectious materials that may
cause harm by inhalation, ingestion, or skin
absorption or contact identified?
- 27-
Are employees aware of the hazards involved
with the various chemicals they may be
exposed to in their work environment, such
as ammonia, chlorine, epoxies, caustics, etc.?
Is employee exposure to chemicals in the
workplace kept within acceptable levels?
Are the safest methods and products being
used?
Is the work area’s ventilation system appro-priate
for the work being performed?
Are spray painting operations done in spray
rooms or booths equipped with an appropri-ate
exhaust system?
Is employee exposure to welding fumes con-trolled
by ventilation, use of respirators,
exposure time or other means?
Are welders and other workers nearby
provided with flash shields during welding
operations?
If forklifts and other vehicles are used in
buildings or other enclosed areas, are the
carbon monoxide levels kept below maximum
acceptable concentration?
Has there been a determination that noise
levels in the facilities are within acceptable
levels?
Are steps being taken to use engineering
controls to reduce excessive noise levels?
Are proper precautions being taken when han-dling
asbestos and other fibrous materials?
Are caution labels and signs used to warn of
hazardous substances ( e. g., asbestos) and
biohazards ( e. g., bloodborne pathogens)?
Are wet methods used, when practicable, to
prevent the emission of airborne asbestos
fibers, silica dust and similar hazardous
materials?
Are engineering controls examined and
maintained or replaced on a scheduled basis?
Is vacuuming with appropriate equipment
used whenever possible rather than blowing
or sweeping dust?
Are grinders, saws and other machines that
produce respirable dusts vented to an indus-trial
collector or central exhaust system?
Are all local exhaust ventilation systems
designed and operating properly such as air
flow and volume necessary for the applica-tion,
ducts not plugged, or belts slipping?
Is personal protective equipment provided,
used and maintained wherever required?
Are there written standard operating proce-dures
for the selection and use of respirators
where needed?
Are restrooms and washrooms kept clean
and sanitary?
Is all water provided for drinking, washing
and cooking potable?
Are all outlets for water not suitable for
drinking clearly identified?
Are employees’ physical capacities assessed
before being assigned to jobs requiring heavy
work?
Are employees instructed in the proper man-ner
of lifting heavy objects?
Where heat is a problem, have all fixed work
areas been provided with spot cooling or air
conditioning?
Are employees screened before assignment to
areas of high heat to determine if their
health condition might make them more sus-ceptible
to having an adverse reaction?
Are employees working on streets and road-ways
where they are exposed to the hazards
of traffic required to wear brightly colored
( traffic orange) warning vests?
Are exhaust stacks and air intakes so located
that contaminated air will not be recirculat-ed
within a building or other enclosed area?
Is equipment producing ultraviolet radiation
properly shielded?
Are universal precautions observed where
occupational exposure to blood or other
potentially infectious materials can occur
and in all instances where differentiation of
types of body fluids or potentially infectious
materials is difficult or impossible?
Flammable and Combustible Materials
Are combustible scrap, debris, and waste
materials ( oily rags, etc.) stored in covered
metal receptacles and removed from the
worksite promptly?
- 28-
Is proper storage practiced to minimize the
risk of fire, including spontaneous combus-tion?
Are approved containers and tanks used for
the storage and handling of flammable and
combustible liquids?
Are all connections on drums and com-bustible
liquid piping vapor and liquid tight?
Are all flammable liquids kept in closed con-tainers
when not in use ( e. g., parts cleaning
tanks, pans, etc.)?
Are bulk drums of flammable liquids grounded
and bonded to containers during dispensing?
Do storage rooms for flammable and com-bustible
liquids have explosion- proof lights?
Do storage rooms for flammable and com-bustible
liquids have mechanical or gravity
ventilation?
Is liquefied petroleum gas stored, handled,
and used in accordance with safe practices
and standards?
Are “ NO SMOKING” signs posted on lique-fied
petroleum gas tanks?
Are liquefied petroleum storage tanks guard-ed
to prevent damage from vehicles?
Are all solvent wastes and flammable liquids
kept in fire- resistant covered containers until
they are removed from the worksite?
Is vacuuming used wherever possible rather
than blowing or sweeping combustible dust?
Are firm separators placed between contain-ers
of combustibles or flammables, when
stacked one upon another, to ensure their
support and stability?
Are fuel gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders
separated by distance, fire- resistant barriers,
etc., while in storage?
Are fire extinguishers selected and provided
for the types of materials in areas where
they are to be used?
Class A Ordinary combustible material
fires.
Class B Flammable liquid, gas or grease
fires.
Class C Energized electrical equipment
fires.
Are appropriate fire extinguishers mounted
within 75 feet of outside areas containing
flammable liquids and within 10 feet of any
inside storage area for such materials?
Are extinguishers free from obstructions or
blockage?
Are all extinguishers serviced, maintained
and tagged at intervals not to exceed one
year?
Are all extinguishers fully charged and in
their designated places?
Where sprinkler systems are permanently
installed, are the nozzle heads so directed
and arranged that water will not be sprayed
into operating electrical switch boards and
equipment?
Are “ NO SMOKING” signs posted where
appropriate in areas where flammable or
combustible materials are used or stored?
Are safety cans used for dispensing flamma-ble
or combustible liquids at a point of use?
Are all spills of flammable or combustible
liquids cleaned up promptly?
Are storage tanks adequately vented to pre-vent
the development of excessive vacuum or
pressure as a result of filling, emptying or
atmosphere temperature changes?
Are storage tanks equipped with emergency
venting that will relieve excessive internal
pressure caused by fire exposure?
Are “ NO SMOKING��� rules enforced in areas
involving storage and use of hazardous
materials?
Hazardous Chemical Exposure
Are employees trained in the safe handling
practices of hazardous chemicals, such as
acids and caustics?
Are employees aware of the potential haz-ards
involving various chemicals stored or
used in the workplace, such as acids, bases,
caustics, epoxies, phenols, etc.?
Is employee exposure to chemicals kept with-in
acceptable levels?
Are eye wash fountains and safety showers
provided in areas where corrosive chemicals
are handled?
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Are all containers, such as vats, storage
tanks, etc., labeled as to their contents, for
example, “ CAUSTICS”?
Are all employees required to use personal
protective clothing and equipment when han-dling
chemicals ( gloves, eye protection, respi-rators,
etc.)?
Are flammable or toxic chemicals kept in
closed containers when not in use?
Are chemical piping systems clearly marked
as to their content?
Where corrosive liquids are frequently han-dled
in open containers or drawn from stor-age
vessels or pipe lines, are adequate means
readily available for neutralizing or dispos-ing
of spills or overflows properly and safely?
Have standard operating procedures been
established and are they being followed
when cleaning up chemical spills?
Where needed for emergency use, are respi-rators
stored in a convenient, clean and sani-tary
location?
Are respirators intended for emergency use
adequate for the various uses for which they
may be needed?
Are employees prohibited from eating in areas
where hazardous chemicals are present?
Is personal protective equipment provided,
used and maintained whenever necessary?
Are there written standard operating proce-dures
for the selection and use of respirators
where needed?
If you have a respirator protection program,
are your employees instructed on the correct
usage and limitations of the respirators? Are
the respirators NIOSH approved for this par-ticular
application? Are they regularly inspect-ed
and cleaned, sanitized and maintained?
If hazardous substances are used in your
processes, do you have a medical or biological
monitoring system in operation?
Are you familiar with the threshold limit val-ues
or permissible exposure limits of air-borne
contaminants and physical agents
used in your workplace?
Have control procedures been instituted for
hazardous materials, where appropriate,
such as respirators, ventilation systems,
handling practices, etc.?
Whenever possible, are hazardous sub-stances
handled in properly designed and
exhausted booths or similar locations?
Do you use general dilution or local exhaust
ventilation systems to control dusts, vapors,
gases, fumes, smoke, solvents or mists that
may be generated in your workplace?
Is ventilation equipment provided for
removal of contaminants from such opera-tions
as production, grinding, buffing, spray
painting and/ or vapor degreasing and is it
operating properly?
Do you monitor employees to make sure there
are no complaints about dizziness, headaches,
nausea, irritation or other discomfort when
they use solvents or other chemicals?
Do you watch for employee health problems
such as dryness, irritation or sensitization of
the skin?
Have you considered the use of an industrial
hygienist or environmental health specialist
to evaluate your operation?
If internal combustion engines are used, is car-bon
monoxide kept within acceptable levels?
Is vacuuming used, rather than blowing or
sweeping dusts, whenever possible for cleanup?
Are materials that give off toxic, asphyxiant,
suffocating or anesthetic fumes stored in
remote or isolated locations when not in use?
Respiratory Protection Program
In any workplace where respirators are neces-sary
to protect the health of the employee or
whenever respirators are required by the employ-er,
established and implemented a written respi-ratory
protection program with worksite- specific
procedures? The program must be updated as
necessary to reflect those changes in workplace
conditions that affect respirator use. You must
include in the program the following provisions as
applicable:
11. Procedures for selecting respirators for
use in the workplace,
12. Medical evaluations of employees
required to use respirators,
13. Fit testing procedures for tight- fitting
respirators,
14. Procedures for proper use of respira-tors
in routine and reasonably foresee-able
emergency situations,
15. Procedures and schedules for cleaning,
disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repair-ing,
discarding and otherwise main-taining
respirators,
16. Procedures to ensure adequate air
quality, quantity and flow of breathing
air for atmosphere- supplying respira-tors,
17. Training of employees in the respirato-ry
hazards to which they are potential-ly
exposed during routine and emer-gency
situations,
18. Training of employees in the proper
use of respirators, including putting on
and removing them, any limitations on
their use, and their maintenance,
19. Procedures for regularly evaluating
the effectiveness of the program.
Hazardous Substances Communication
Is there a list of hazardous substances used
in your workplace?
Is there a current written exposure control
plan for occupational exposure to bloodborne
pathogens and other potentially infectious
materials, where applicable?
Is there a written hazard communication pro-gram
dealing with material safety data sheets
( MSDS), labeling and employee training?
Is each container for a hazardous substance
( including vats, bottles and storage tanks)
labeled with product identity and a hazard
warning ( communication of the specific
health hazards and physical hazards)?
Is there a material safety data sheet readily
available for each hazardous substance used?
Is there an employee training program for
hazardous substances?
This program needs to include:
11. An explanation of what an MSDS is
and how to use and obtain one.
12. MSDS contents for each hazardous
substance or class of substances.
13. Explanation of “ right to know.”
14. Identification of where employees can
see the employer’s written hazard
communication program and where
hazardous substances are present in
their work areas.
15. Physical and health hazards of sub-stances
in the work area and specific
protective measures to be used.
16. Details of the hazard communication
program, including how to use the
labeling system and MSDSs.
The employee training program on the blood-borne
pathogens standard needs to contain
the following elements:
11. An accessible copy of the standard and
an explanation of its contents.
12. A general explanation of the epide-miology
and symptoms of bloodborne
diseases.
13. An explanation of the modes of trans-mission
of bloodborne pathogens.
14. An explanation of the employer’s expo-sure
control plan and the means by
which employees can obtain a copy of
the written plan.
15. An explanation of the appropriate
methods for recognizing tasks and
other activities that may involve expo-sure
to blood and other potentially
infectious materials.
16. An explanation of the use and limita-tions
of methods that will prevent or
reduce exposure, including appropriate
engineering controls, work practices
and personal protective equipment.
17. Information on the types, proper use,
location, removal, handling, decontami-nation
and disposal of personal protec-tive
equipment.
18. An explanation of the basis for selec-tion
of personal protective equipment.
19. Information on the hepatitis B vaccine.
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10. Information on the appropriate actions
to take and people to contact in an
emergency involving blood or other
potentially infectious materials.
11. An explanation of the procedure to follow
if an exposure incident occurs, including
the methods of reporting the incident and
the medical follow- up that will be made
available.
12. Information on post- exposure evalua-tions
and follow- up.
13. An explanation of signs, labels and
color coding.
Are employees trained in the following:
How to recognize tasks that might result
in occupational exposure?
How to use work practice and engineering
controls and personal protective equip-ment
and to know their limitations?
How to obtain information on the types,
selection, proper use, location, removal,
handling, decontamination and disposal of
personal protective equipment?
Who to contact and what to do in an
emergency?
Electrical
Do you specify compliance with OSHA stan-dards
for all contract electrical work?
Are all employees required to report as soon
as practicable any obvious hazard to life or
property observed in connection with electri-cal
equipment or lines?
Are employees instructed to make prelimi-nary
inspections and/ or appropriate tests to
determine what conditions exist before start-ing
work on electrical equipment or lines?
When electrical equipment or lines are to be
serviced, maintained or adjusted, are neces-sary
switches opened, locked out and tagged
whenever possible?
Are portable electrical tools and equipment
grounded or of the double- insulated type?
Are electrical appliances such as vacuum
cleaners, polishers and vending machines
grounded?
Do extension cords being used have a
grounding conductor?
Are multiple- plug adapters prohibited?
Are ground- fault circuit interrupters installed
on each temporary 15 or 20 ampere, 120 volt
AC circuit at locations where construction,
demolition, modifications, alterations or exca-vations
are being performed?
Are all temporary circuits protected by suit-able
disconnecting switches or plug connec-tors
at the junction with permanent wiring?
Do you have electrical installations in haz-ardous
dust or vapor areas? If so, do they
meet the National Electrical Code ( NEC) for
hazardous locations?
Are exposed wiring and cords with frayed or
deteriorated insulation repaired or replaced
promptly?
Are flexible cords and cables free of splices or
taps?
Are clamps or other securing means provided
on flexible cords or cables at plugs, recepta-cles,
tools and equipment, and is the cord
jacket securely held in place?
Are all cord, cable and raceway connections
intact and secure?
In wet or damp locations, are electrical tools
and equipment appropriate for the use or
location or otherwise protected?
Is the location of electrical power lines and
cables ( overhead, underground, underfloor,
other side of walls) determined before digging,
drilling or similar work is begun?
Are metal measuring tapes, ropes, handlines
or similar devices with metallic thread
woven into the fabric prohibited where they
could come in contact with energized parts of
equipment of circuit conductors?
Is the use of metal ladders prohibited in
areas where the ladder or the person using
the ladder could come in contact with ener-gized
parts of equipment, fixtures or circuit
conductors?
Are all disconnecting switches and circuit
breakers labeled to indicate their use or
equipment served?
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Are disconnecting means always opened
before fuses are replaced?
Do all interior wiring systems include provi-sions
for grounding metal parts of electrical
raceways, equipment and enclosures?
Are all electrical raceways and enclosures
securely fastened in place?
Are all energized parts of electrical circuits
and equipment guarded against accidental
contact by approved cabinets or enclosures?
Is sufficient access and working space provid-ed
and maintained about all electrical equip-ment
to permit ready and safe operations
and maintenance?
Are all unused openings ( including conduit
knockouts) in electrical enclosures and fittings
closed with appropriate covers, plugs or plates?
Are electrical enclosures such as switches,
receptacles, junction boxes, etc., provided
with tight- fitting covers or plates?
Are disconnecting switches for electrical
motors in excess of 2 horsepower capable of
opening the circuit when the motor is in a
stalled condition without exploding? ( The
horsepower rating of switches must be equal to
or in excess of the motor’s horsepower rating.)
Is low voltage protection provided in the
control device of motors driving machines or
equipment that could cause probable injury
from inadvertent starting?
Is each motor disconnecting switch or circuit
breaker located within sight of the motor
control device?
Is each motor located within sight of its con-troller
or the controller disconnecting means
capable of being locked in the open position or
is a separate disconnecting means installed in
the circuit within sight of the motor?
Is the controller for each motor in excess of
2 horsepower rated in horsepower equal to or
in excess of the rating of the motor it serves?
Are employees who regularly work on or
around energized electrical equipment or
lines instructed in cardiopulmonary resusci-tation
( CPR)?
Are employees prohibited from working alone
on energized lines or equipment over 600 volts?
Noise
Does every area in the workplace have a
continuous noise level that does not exceed
85 dBA?
Is there an ongoing preventive health pro-gram
to educate employees in safe levels of
noise, exposures, effects of noise on their
health and the use of personal protection?
Have work areas where noise levels make
voice communication between employees dif-ficult
been identified and posted?
Are noise levels being measured using a
sound level meter or octave band analyzer
and are records being kept?
Have engineering controls been used to
reduce excessive noise levels? Where engi-neering
controls are determined to not be
feasible, are administrative controls ( such
as worker rotation) being used to minimize
individual employee exposure to noise?
Is approved hearing protective equipment
( noise attenuating devices) available to every
employee working in noisy areas?
Have you tried isolating noisy machinery
from the rest of your operation?
If you use ear protectors, are employees
properly fitted and instructed in their use?
Are employees in high noise areas given peri-odic
audiometric testing to ensure that you
have an effective hearing protection system?
Fueling
Is it prohibited to fuel an internal combus-tion
engine with a flammable liquid while
the engine is running?
Are fueling operations done in such a manner
that likelihood of spillage will be minimal?
When spillage occurs during fueling opera-tions,
is the spilled fuel washed away com-pletely,
evaporated, or other measures taken
to control vapors before restarting the engine?
Are fuel tank caps replaced and secured
before starting the engine?
In fueling operations, is there always metal
contact between the container and the fuel
tank?
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Are fueling hoses of a type designed to han-dle
the specific type of fuel?
Is it prohibited to handle or transfer gasoline
in open containers?
Are open lights, open flames, or sparking or
arcing equipment prohibited near fueling or
transfer of fuel operations?
Is smoking prohibited in the vicinity of fuel-ing
operations?
Are fueling operations prohibited in build-ings
or other enclosed areas that are not
specifically ventilated for this purpose?
Where fueling or transfer of fuel is done
through a gravity flow system, are the
nozzles of the self- closing type?
Identification of Piping Systems
When nonpotable water is piped through a
facility, are outlets or taps posted to alert
employees that it is unsafe and not to be used
for drinking, washing or other personal use?
When hazardous substances are transported
through above ground piping, is each
pipeline identified at points where confusion
could introduce hazards to employees?
When a pipeline is identified by color painting,
are all visible parts of the line so identified?
When pipelines are identified by color painted
bands or tapes, are the bands or tapes located
at reasonable intervals and at each outlet,
valve or connection?
When pipelines are identified by color, is the
color code posted at all locations where con-fusion
could introduce hazards to employees?
When the contents of pipelines are identified
by name or name abbreviation, is the infor-mation
readily visible on the pipe near each
valve or outlet?
When pipelines carrying hazardous sub-stances
are identified by tags, are the tags
constructed of durable materials, the mes-sage
carried clearly and permanently distin-guishable,
and are tags installed at each
valve or outlet?
When pipelines are heated by electricity,
steam or another external source, are suitable
warning signs or tags placed at unions, valves
or other serviceable parts of the system?
Materials Handling
Is there safe clearance for equipment
through aisles and doorways?
Are aisleways designated, permanently
marked and kept clear to allow unhindered
passage?
Are motorized vehicles and mechanized
equipment inspected daily or before use?
Are vehicles shut off and brakes set before
loading or unloading?
Are containers of combustibles or flamma-bles,
when stacked while being moved,
always separated by dunnage sufficient to
provide stabi